As I write this, kids across the Pittsburgh area are bidding a wistful farewell to the lazy days of winter break and preparing to resume school. The past year hasn’t been easy for any of us, but I feel a special sympathy for these kids whose school lives have been so disrupted.

At its best, public education can help to level the playing field – kids get more equitable access to resources and can benefit from socialization with peers of different backgrounds. But the coronavirus pandemic has hit low-income and other vulnerable populations of school kids the hardest. Reduced access to technology and quiet working environments compound the already-stressful circumstances of remote schooling for many kids.

At the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, supporting education and lifelong learning are integral parts of our mission. During periods when our building is open, we eagerly welcome the students who visit us in search of quiet working space and internet access. Since September, we’ve offered no-cost printing for students, and our online story times and programs for kids help provide some social stability.

But throughout the pandemic, we’ve struggled with the challenges of supporting the academic side of online learning, especially when our building is closed to the public during times of closure. No parents want to see their children falling behind academically, but with so many obstacles of work and child care schedules, there’s only so much that parents can do.

For families struggling with remote learning, there’s a fantastic new option that you can access through the library: Tutor.com. Normally a paid subscription service, Tutor.com is accessible for free with any Allegheny County library card. Students from kindergarten through college can log on between noon and midnight seven days a week to connect with a qualified, motivated, live, one-on-one tutor. Tutors can help with math, English, science, and social studies classes – and just as importantly, they’re caring people who are invested in their students’ success. Sometimes just knowing that someone believes in you is exactly the boost that a kid needs. If you have a student in your family, check out Tutor.com through the library’s website at Carnegie Carnegie.org.

Of course, it’s not just kids who can benefit from personalized instruction. Our library staff have always worked hard to help our patrons of all ages with their technology needs, from troubleshooting online job applications to teaching Excel in our one-on-one tech help appointments. We usually expect a spike in these appointments after the holidays — it’s not uncommon for folks to receive new tablets or phones as gifts, and they look to the library for help getting started. While it can be difficult to offer this kind of help remotely, we’re happy to meet the challenge!

If you have a new device and you want to learn how to set it up with the library apps you need to stream free music, movies, magazines, ebooks, comics and more, consider booking a Library Apps 101 appointment with us. Give us a call at 412-276-3456 and let us know what kind of device you have and when you’re generally available. We’ll set up an appointment for a voice or video call with one of our friendly librarians, and we’ll make sure you’re all set and ready to watch, listen or read. Learn how to get the most out of your device with free digital content from the Library — with tens of thousands of great titles available, there’s something for everyone.

It’s been a long year, and, while the covid vaccines promise an eventual reprieve, I have no doubt that the pandemic’s effects will be felt for a long time. At the Carnegie Carnegie, we hope to continue doing what we can to lift up our community and get through these challenges together.

We hope you’ll join us in 2021!

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