Deciding what services to offer homeschooling families will depend upon your community, your library, staff, and resources. One of the best places to begin is by surveying patrons who homeschool about what they would like from library services.

One afternoon a family came to the library that was going to begin homeschooling. The mother share the recommendation of a friend, "Before you buy anything go to the public library. They have great resources." I rejoiced at her words. This spurred me to put together a survey focused on the needs of homeschooling patrons. One benefit of the survey was to help parents think about resources available from the library that they never thought about.

Rather than re-inventing the wheel it is always better to adapt one that already works. Here is a basic survey geared toward homeschooling patrons to determine needs and desires. Adapt it as needed.

1. Would you like classes on how to use the library for children ages 8-10?
2. Would you like classes on how to use the library for children ages 10-13?
3. Would you like classes on how to use the library for teens?
4. Would you like computer classes for children ages 6-8?
5. Would you like computer classes for children ages 9-12?
6. Would you like computer classes for teens?
7. Would you like classes Monday through Friday?
8. Would you like classes twice a week?
9. Would you like classes once a week?
10. Would you be willing to pay a minimal fee ($5-10) for instructional classes?
11. Would you like a daytime reading club for children ages 8-10?
12. Would you like a daytime reading club for children ages 10-13?
13. Would you like a daytime reading club for teens?
14. Would you like a mother-daughter reading club?
15. Would you like a daytime boys reading club?
16. Do you have homeschooled children which are (select all categories that apply)?
    • 2-4
    • 5-7
    • 8-10
    • 11-13
    • 14-18
17. In what curricular areas would like support materials (select all categories that apply)?
    • Math
    • History & Social Studies
    • English
    • Reading
    • Geography
    • Health & Physical Education
    • Technology
    • Arts & Music
    • Languages Other Than English
    • Dyslexia
    • Dyscalculia