The details
According to an Aug. 5 news release from the Fort Bend County Libraries System, teachers will be available Mon.-Thurs. from 3-6 p.m. to help students:
- Complete homework assignments
- Prepare for tests
- Improve study habits
- Learn about library databases and electronic resources
Why it matters
The program aims to supplement classroom education and reinforce skills, according to the release. Additionally, program officials said they hope to increase student confidence.
“We were mainly concerned about the COVID[-19] learning slip, especially after 2020 [and] 2021, so we wanted to hit that target audience—third through sixth grade—because that’s where reading literacy and reading comprehension becomes fundamental to a student’s future career,” Programming Librarian Christina Tam said.
The background
After seeing a similar program in Milwaukee and Chicago, former Library Director Clara Russell charged staff with piloting the program at the Mission Bend Branch Library last year. The 2023 program exceeded staff’s goal with approximately 120 to 130 students registered, officials said.
“They have come back saying that they felt more confident in their reading, their grades have improved and that the Teacher in the Library program benefitted them,” Tam said.
Looking ahead
The program will begin Sept. 3 at the Missouri City Branch Library and run through May, according to the release.
