Free library program links kids to tutors

When the answers don't come easy, a free, online program offered by public libraries in Suffolk County is one way students can find help with their classwork.

On Monday, many libraries throughout the county will host a "homework help day" to showcase the real-time tutoring help that is available to cardholders every day through the county's digital branch, Live-brary.com.

The service, reached by clicking on Live Study Help/Homework Help on the website, gives students access to licensed and trained tutors in English, math, science, social studies and Spanish.

So far this year, Allison Limberg, 10, a sixth-grader at Old Field Middle School in Greenlawn, has used it to help her with science and math, specifically with division.

"I am usually good at division, and I used it because I was stuck," she said. "It was very easy."

Tutors are available online every day from 2 to 11 p.m. As the school year progresses, they also will offer assistance in prepping for the PSAT/SAT, ACT, AP and state standardized tests.

A 24-hour writing lab allows students to submit essays and other forms of writing and receive feedback within one day.

"[The program] has so much to offer to students, to parents, to teachers who want to help their students," said Huntington Library director Debbie Engelhardt.

"It is a great value academically speaking and financially."

She said she used the online tutoring help over the summer for her son Scott, 9, who is in the fourth grade at Wading River Elementary School.

Suffolk's public libraries came together last year to launch Live-brary.com, which provides 1 million patrons with free online resources, including downloadable eBooks, audio books, movies and music in addition to the live homework help. This year, Live-brary For Kids was added, to focus on serving children up to age 10.

In Nassau County, nearly all the public libraries offer a similar service, said Michael Morea, manager of electronic resources and services for the Nassau library system. More information is available via a homework-help tab on nassaulibrary.org.

The tutor.com help through Nassau's library system is available every day, around the clock.

Kevin Verbesey, director of the Suffolk Cooperative Library System, said he has noticed increased use of the live tutoring, and the library system wants to raise awareness of the program.

"All the libraries are going to try and reintroduce it and reconnect with PTAs and schools to let people know it is out there," Verbesey said. "It is a great service, and we think the only thing holding it back is people being aware of it."

Suffolk residents can find more information about Monday's demo at their local library by visiting Live-brary.com. There, they can click on the icon of Long Island, in the upper right corner, to be directed to a Web page and find their library by typing in their home address. Then they'll be linked to their local library's website, which will have the information.

Live Learning

To use the free online tutoring service, the only thing a student living in Suffolk County needs is a library card. sign up for a card online at Live-brary.com, and use service the same afternoon.

Homework help is available every day from 2 to 11 p.m.

Students are quickly matched with a tutor.

Help is available in Spanish.

With 24/7 access, users can create an account, view past sessions, and get help within one business day on homework questions they submit.

Tutors are trained and certified by Brainfuse and must possess a four-year degree, have prior teaching/tutoring experience and have been cleared with thorough background/reference checks. All are based in the U.S.

Subjects include English, math, science, social studies and Spanish.