Beyond the books
Neuse Regional Library
The Neuse Regional Libraries have taken active steps to collaborate with students, parents, teachers, principals and the Kinston Housing Authority to explore better ways to engage students in learning during these trying times. The Library established Homework Help programs throughout Lenoir, Jones and Greene counties to provide students and parents additional resources, one-on-one tutoring, and access to Wi-Fi to help support learning.
Despite initial success, once popular programs like Homework Help and STEM 4 All experienced a sharp decline in attendance in the new year, leaving staff members pondering: what happened? As we dove deeper into the issues of low attendance and had honest conversations with local organizations and schools, we discovered the lack of student engagement was not unique to Homework Help and the STEM 4 ALL program, but far reaching and widespread. It seemed as if students had checked out of learning, a