Until I started homeschooling, I had no idea how many wonderful free programs and services our local libraries offer. Here are just a few that we've taken advantage of in the past year:

The Monterey Public Library publishes a homeschooling bro- chure with tips on how to utilize the library to meet your home- schooling needs. They also keep a homeschooling reference file behind the Youth Services Desk. If you can't find what you're looking for on your own, with a little advance notice, the librarians will pull materials on the subject you're studying and have it ready for you to pick up. They even customize what they pull based on your child's age and learning style.

The Monterey Public Library has offered several great programs of interest to all families. These include interactive sessions provided by JazzMasters, a nonprofit organization providing free jazz education to school children in California and other areas, a torn paper collage class with an artist who worked for Disney as an Imagineer, and a fun math class with a Bay Area author. The same author also presented a workshop in the evening to teach parents and teachers ways to create fun math moments everyday.

One of my daughter's favorite library classes for the past two summers has been the poetry and art workshop for 1st-6th graders with local author/poet, Patrice Vecchione, at the Pacific Grove Public Library. The workshop meets for an hour and a half once a week for 4-5 weeks. A subject is typically given and the children write a poem, do a corresponding art project, and then have the chance to share at the end of class, all the while being encouraged by Patrice. A similar 5-week program for 4th-6th graders will be held in February. The Monterey Public Library also offers poetry writing workshops with Patrice. The next one, for ages 14-adult, is scheduled for March. These workshops are all free, but reservations are required.

A few of the Monterey County Free Libraries, including the Prunedale Branch, offer book fairs a couple of times a year. A wide variety of Scholastic books for different ages and subjects are displayed for about two weeks. You can buy right off the displays and the items are discounted off the published prices.

Last summer, the Seaside branch offered a 1-hour class with a professional cartoonist. Supplies were provided and each participant got to take home 2-3 drawings that they completed during the class. Monterey County Free Libraries will also be partnering with The Lyceum to offer two tech and electronic resource classes in February. Coming up in March, they're holding their “Big Read.” This year's book is Fahrenheit 451, and along with the adult discussion groups, they are including children in the program by having a poster contest for the younger kids and a poster and/or essay contest for teens.

The Salinas Public Libraries offer great story time opportunities for kids which often include songs and crafts. The Cesar Chavez branch even holds story times in both English and Spanish. It also offers “Homework Center” time five days a week.

All of the librarians we've worked with have been extremely supportive of homeschooling. Most libraries offer special programs throughout the year, and especially during the summer. So stop in, check their websites or call for information on upcoming programs that might be of interest to you.

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