Library Plans New Homework Center in Ojai
The Ojai library has announced plans to set up a special after-school homework center, thanks to a $20,000 grant from the First Interstate Bank of California Foundation.
The Ojai Valley Library Foundation will hire a part-time librarian to run the program, which is designed to teach youths how to do research using both computers and print resources.
The librarian will also supervise students doing homework and working on research projects.
“There is really nothing like this in the community,” said Nita Whaley, an Ojai Valley Library Foundation board member. “School libraries for the most part are sorely underfunded. It is a place where kids could go to have professional assistance.”
The foundation hopes to have the program in place by the start of the school year in September, Whaley said.
The money will pay for the librarian to work about 28 hours a week. Whaley said the foundation has set up a separate budget to purchase CD-ROM materials, two computers and other equipment.
Known as Ojai Valley SchooLinks, the program will be open to all students but will focus on those between 12 and 18. Whaley said the program, which is expected to begin by the next school year, will seek to share computer technology with Nordhoff High School, Ojai’s public high school.
The grant award came just days after Ojai area voters approved two homeowners’ tax initiatives that will pump $120,000 annually into the Ojai library.
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