Support for Homeschooling by Public Libraries in the United States: Based on a Website Survey

Abstract

　This paper aims to clarify how public libraries in the United States support homeschooling through an examination of their websites. Modern homeschooling has developed against the backdrop of criticism toward the uniformity of public education as well as diverse religious and so on, and today it is legalized throughout the United States as an educational option. In recent years, concerns about school environments as well as the impact of COVID-19 have contributed to the growth of homeschooling families, and public libraries have also begun to develop supportive initiatives. This study examined the websites of U.S. public libraries known to offer homeschooling support to analyze their specific services. As a result, in more than half of the surveyed libraries that provided support for homeschoolers, homeschool programs or resource link collections were offered. In addition, programs were identified that aim not only to promote interaction among children but also to foster connections among parents. Furthermore, in some cases, distinctive support was found to include Homeschool/Educational Resource Centers as well as webpages providing explanations of the philosophy of homeschooling and the relevant state laws.