News Release

01/25/2007
Providence Public Library Offers Free Online Homework Help | en español

Providence school children never have to be stumped by a tough homework assignment again! Students from 4th to 12th grade and college introduction level can simply visit any Providence Public Library (PPL) or the Library’s Web site from their home PC to get immediate, free help from qualified tutors. PPL now offers Live Homework Help, an online tutoring service from Tutor.com that connects students to expert tutors in math, science, social studies and English via the Internet. Spanish-speaking tutors are available in math and science. In the 2005/2006 school year, about one million students completed Live Homework Help sessions.

Log on and Learn
This free service allows students to connect to an expert tutor either from a PPL library or from their home PC or MAC, using a Providence library card number, and receive homework help from a live tutor via the Internet. The service is available daily (Sunday – Saturday) from 3:00 – 9:00 pm. The service is available in both English and Spanish; however, variations in the subjects, grade levels and times vary between the two languages, depending on tutor availability.

Live Homework Help is easy to use. Children and teens simply go to the Library’s Web site (www.provlib.org), click on the Free Online Homework Help link and then enter their Providence Library card number, their grade level and the subject they need help in. In just a few minutes, students are connected to a tutor in an online classroom for one-to-one help in math (elementary, algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus), science (elementary, earth science, biology, chemistry, physics), social studies (American History, World History, Political Science and more), and English (spelling, grammar, essay writing, book reports).

“Providence Public Library is constantly striving to provide valued, high quality services to the residents of Providence. Homework help during the critical after-school hours has always been a priority service for us,” said Dale Thompson, Library Director. “Now, by providing the latest technological resources available to support our City’s school children, we are able to offer this important service online to all students, whether they come to a library or access it from home,” she said.

Learn from Expert Tutors in an Online Classroom
Students and tutors can review specific homework questions, as well as subject-specific concepts using features such as controlled chat, an interactive white board and shared Web browsing in the Online Classroom. Tutors can type math equations using a special math tool, share educational Web sites and much more for a rewarding learning experience. All tutors are certified teachers, college professors, professional tutors or graduate school students from across the country. Every tutor has completed a third party background check and a comprehensive training program.

About Providence Public Library
Recipient of the 2001 National Award for Library Service, Providence Public Library is a 130-year-old private, not-for-profit institution with branches located throughout the city of Providence. PPL’s Central Library is also the state-designated Statewide Reference Resource Center serving all Rhode Islanders. PPL is dedicated to providing free educational, lifelong learning and enrichment, and economic advancement opportunities for all citizens, regardless of background, age or income.

About Tutor.com
Tutor.com is the leading provider of one-to-one learning and information solutions for libraries, education institutions and individuals. Using innovative technology, Tutor.com's suite of services allows users to get help online from professional subject experts anywhere, at any time. These highly personalized services are supported with superior training, communications, tracking and reporting features, and 24/7-customer service. Tutor.com currently provides tutoring services for over 1,300 public libraries and after school organization sites.