Thank you for your interest in this program.
Please note that we have finished recruitment for the 2024-2025 school year.
You are still welcome to apply. Applicants will be considered for openings for the 2025-2026 school year and may be contacted beginning in early summer 2025 for openings in the fall.
About Homework Help
The Seattle Public Library provides homework coaching and learning activities for K-12 students throughout the school year. Volunteers support students with various homework assignments and with developing literacy, mathematics and social emotional learning (SEL) skills.
The Homework Help Program supports diverse communities in Seattle. Volunteers and Library staff support youth to advance racial equity and close the education opportunity gap for students. Volunteers provide a supportive learning environment where youth and their families feel welcome.
Homework Help is available for students in grades K-12. However, several Library branches primarily serve elementary school students. Most of the students attend Seattle’s public schools and speak a language other than English at home.
We request a volunteer commitment for the entire school year (or at least six months). Volunteers will be scheduled to provide Homework Help once a week when Seattle’s public schools are in session. Those volunteers who have variable schedules can be scheduled as substitute Homework Helpers at least twice a month.
To ensure that patrons are treated with care and respect whenever they participate in the Library’s programs and services, our employees and volunteers are expected to uphold the values of cultural humility, equity and inclusion.
Volunteer Application and Orientation Process
We anticipate that Homework Help Program will be offered at the Broadview, Columbia, Douglass-Truth, High Point, Lake City, NewHolly, Northgate, Rainier Beach and South Park branches for the 2025-2026 school year.
Prospective Homework Helpers are invited to complete an online volunteer application. The Volunteer Services Coordinator will read applications and may interview people who meet the Homework Helper qualifications. Applicants may be contacted beginning summer 2025 for placement in the fall, and as additional openings become available throughout the school year. Please note that we may be unable to place all applicants.
After the interview, volunteer candidates will be asked to consent to a nationwide criminal background check. Volunteers will also be asked to complete the Equity, Race and Social Justice at The Seattle Public Library online course and accompanying volunteer service agreement prior to placement as a Homework Help tutor.
All new tutors will be scheduled to attend a Homework Help orientation and will also meet separately with a volunteer liaison for a site-specific orientation.
Please email our Volunteer Services Coordinator at volunteer@spl.org if you have questions.
