Marysville Library

Homework Help Expectations & Guidelines

Volunteers are expected to:

• Arrive 15 minutes before the start of Homework Help.
• If you cannot make it for your volunteer shift (due to sickness or a planned absence), email or call your library contact as soon as possible.
• Work with library staff to create a friendly and welcoming environment.
• Offer help that is consistent with the training provided.
  • Actively listen to a student’s questions and assist them to the best of your ability.
  • Praise and reinforce a student’s work and effort.
  • Provide constructive feedback as needed.
  • If a student does not have a specific assignment requiring help, play a game provided by the library, or practice reading together.
• Refer a student or parent/caregiver to library staff when needed.
• Maintain confidentiality related to student names and personal information.
• Participate in 5-10 minute group check-in following the end of Homework Help.
• Accept directions from library staff and follow library policies and procedures.

Volunteers are NOT expected to:

• Provide personal contact information to students or families for outside tutoring.
• Create practice or learning materials for students without an existing assignment.
• Manage student or caregiver/parent behavior.
• Be subject matter experts.
• Stay at the library past the end of the program.
• Use personal library account or equipment to access resources.

 What Volunteers can expect of Sno-Isle Staff:

• Welcome students and adults and help to match them with volunteers.
• Manage overall room behavior and volume.
• Offer alternative activities as needed.
• Connect students with Brainfuse and other library resources.
• Facilitate interactions with parents and caregivers as needed.
• Answer volunteer questions and communicate schedule changes.
• Lead a 5-10 check-in at the end of each session.

Participant Guidelines (Students/Caregivers):

• Communicate respectfully with volunteers.
• Respect volunteer time and personal information.
• Follow library policies.
• Caregivers can be in other parts of the library while their student is in Homework Help.
• Be aware that:
  • Volunteers will not provide contact information for services outside of the library.
  • Volunteers will not design individualized lessons or practice work for students.
  • Homework help will be available on a first come, first served basis.
  • Volunteers are not always subject experts.
  • Students are not guaranteed to work with the same volunteer each week.