The library: the friend of everyone

You save lots of money going to the library to find books. Sure, maybe exactly what you want won't be there, but there should be something useful. And any costs will repay themselves if you borrow a lot. I started using them when I wanted to check out various "sequels" to Jane Austen novels without spending my money. (Some of them were awful, I confess.) It meant being exposed to a variety of writing styles, which I think influenced my own writing style - if only in knowing what to not do.

I certainly used the main library of UT-Austin for my various research projects. (I recall a few security guards who asked if I was okay when I had several large books in my arms - which I was carrying because my backpack was already full. So it helps to not borrow too many at once.) Having a university library handy is invaluable, and a boost to any homeschooler's education. If you are an alum of that school, then access might be free.

But how good is your library? The only way to know is to check it out, and find ways of accessing online libraries to expand your potential resources. There is a website with library rankings from 2006, HAPLR, but I found its explanation confusing. Of course, few can understand an unfamiliar system after reading about it once. If you find other ways of ranking libraries, or have ideas for rating them, I'd love to hear them.

And how do I consider the libraries around me? Well, the Austin Public Library system has a decent annual book sale, and I found copies of some of Winston Churchill's books there. (I think I floored one fellow buyer by grabbing an entire set of the books on World War II; he wasn't expecting a female teenager to be interested in military history.) One of my professors gave the library a bad rap, but I understand he is used to an excellent library from his old home area. I can give the UT Library system a high grade for selection, online resources, and helpful staff. The Law Library is also well-stocked, and has a knowledgeable staff. (It's separate from the regular library system, so I think I can only look now; I don't think graduates can borrow from there.)

Welcome

I was homeschooled all my life. Even when I got to college, I still held the mentality that learning takes places anywhere, anytime. I was never one to settle for being inside the box. Boy, I never liked the idea of sitting still for hours on end. I was not crazy about college, but I will admit that some of the classes made it worthwhile.

This blog exists because I felt that there needed to be more information about homeschooling available. With so many complaining about the schools today, why not look at alternatives to tossing more money at something that is overwhelmingly messed up? Sure, I know of some good schools (my cousin went to a nice high school and did very well there), but how many children are hurt by the bad ones? How many teachers are overburdened by an uncaring system and parents who view school as a babysitter of sorts?

But this is not about ranting. This is to provide good resources and to suggest ways to make homeschooling work for you. Please ask me questions. I would love to tackle them.