The Massachusetts Library System is pleased to announce that we have contracted with PCI Webinars to provide our members with access to their live webinars.  These webinars are free to MLS members who register through our calendar.  Because we are working with an outside vendor, it is important that you cancel your registration in the event that you are unable to attend the live webinar.  A recording of the webinar will be available on the PCI Webinars Niche Academy website about a week after the live webinar.  If you have any issues registering or signing into the PCI Webinars Niche Academy website, please let us know.  Please do not contact PCI Webinars or Niche Academy directly about their live webinars or webinar recordings.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the percentage of homeschooled students in the U.S. shot up from 2.8 to 5.4 percent during the 2020-2021 school year. While that number has decreased post-pandemic, homeschooling continues to be an increasingly popular education choice. Homeschoolers are a diverse community, but they do have one thing in common—they’re dedicated and voracious library users!

Join librarian and homeschool alum Elizabeth Stinnette as she explores the homeschooler mindset, discusses ways to connect with homeschool students and their parents, and presents real-life examples of library programs that have (and haven’t) worked to meet the needs of this unique community.

Homeschoolers aren’t intimidating, and they’re already your fans—you can make your library a resource and gathering place for them!

In this program, attendees will learn:

• The history of homeschooling
• How homeschool students are different from and similar to their traditionally-schooled peers
• What never to ask homeschool students or their parents
• How to connect with your local homeschool community
• How to create programs that meet their educational needs

Elizabeth Stinnette Biography:

Elizabeth Stinnette is a children's librarian at Purcellville Library, a branch of the Loudoun County Public Library system in Virginia, where she specializes in programming for elementary-age students. Elizabeth earned her MLS at Catholic University of America and previously worked at a variety of LCPL branches, including a brand-new urban branch, a small rural branch, and an outreach van. Outside of libraries, she enjoys reading, writing, and travel.

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