Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Library Commissioner Brian Bannon today announced that Homework Help is the largest and most comprehensive program of its kind in the nation. CPL locations citywide offer the free, drop-in Teacher in the Library program for school aged kids. Live online tutoring is available on CPL’s website through Brainfuse.

“Homework Help makes it possible for Chicago students to continue learning, even after the school bell rings,” said Mayor Emanuel. “With a record number of students accessing these resources, it is clear that investing in this program is investing in our students and in the future of our city.”

During the 2016-2017 school year, nearly 100,000 Homework Help sessions supported students’ out-of-school time learning. This represents a 68 percent increase in four years, when the program was expanded to offer Teacher in Library at all 80 CPL branches and online tutoring was launched through Brainfuse.

“Certified teachers and trained homework helpers support our city’s kids by working through their homework assignments, building confidence and reinforcing classroom concepts,” said Commissioner Bannon. “Our Homework Help program supports families as well, allowing parents from all backgrounds, native languages and abilities to get their child free homework help.”

Through Brainfuse, CPL provides one-on-one online tutoring seven days a week, between 2 p.m. and 11 p.m., for all students with a library card. This online homework service provides students tutoring, collaboration and study tools in math, science, social sciences, English, language arts and computer literacy. Assistance in these core subjects is available in English and Spanish, from early elementary through advanced college prep. The site also provides a Spanish language study center and ESL assistance, as well as test preparation tools for the ACT/SAT, GED and the USCIS citizenship test.

Parents and caregivers who have questions about their child's homework assignment welcome the option to get help in their neighborhood library or online until 11 pm.

Students also have access to comprehensive writing assistance and productivity software assistance. For those requiring more detailed explanations of difficult concepts, students can submit questions to tutors or join online study groups in the Brainfuse classroom at any time, 24 hours a day. The Adult Learning Center includes all of these resources geared toward adult learners.

Since 2011, the City of Chicago has invested over $200 million to enhance library buildings and services. CPL announced multiple modernization and infrastructure projects at neighborhood branches, including a new branch in West Loop and major renovations to Whitney Young, Chicago Bee and Kelly branches. CPL also announced a first of its kind partnership with Chicago Housing Authority to co-locate four libraries and renovate a fifth.

CPL’s Teacher in the Library program is privately funded with support from the Chicago Public Library Foundation. To learn more about Homework Help and other educational resources at the library, visit chipublib.org/HomeworkHelp.

About Chicago Public Library
Since 1873, Chicago Public Library (CPL) has encouraged lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment and knowledge through innovative services and programs, as well as cutting-edge technology. Through its 80 locations, the Library provides free access to a rich collection of materials, both physical and digital, and presents the highest quality author discussions, exhibits and programs for children, teens and adults. CPL received the Social Innovator Award from Chicago Innovation Awards; won a National Medal for Library Services from the Institute for Museum and Library Services; was named the first ever winner of the National Summer Learning Association’s Founder’s Award in recognition of its Summer Learning Challenge; and was ranked number one in the U.S., and third in the world by an international study of major urban libraries conducted by the Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf in Germany. For more information, please call (312) 747-4050 or visit chipublib.org. To follow CPL on social media, visit us on Twitter (@chipublib) or Facebook (Chicago Public Library).