News & Events

Blacktown City Council's Library Service has been hailed as one of Australia's top 15 e-learning innovators for 2009-2010; it was announced by Tutoring Australia's CEO Jack Goodman today, Thursday 24 September 2009 at Blacktown City's Max Webber Library.

Yourtutor is an online free tutoring service providing students with free homework help - creating an online classroom where students are connected to qualified, expert tutors for one-to-one help with homework, understanding difficult topics, assignment research, exam preparation and study questions. They can review specific homework and assignment questions with students online, using features like controlled chat, an interactive white board and shared web browsing. English, Maths and Science subjects are included.

The service connects library members to a live tutor via the internet from the library's website which can be accessed from home or in the library www.yourtutor.com.au (or via the libraries' website http://www.libraries.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/ click on yourtutor to connect). The service is available during school terms Monday to Friday 4.00pm-8.00pm - a total of 20 hours per week during school terms.

"Blacktown City Libraries signed up to yourtutor so that local students can get extra help with their schoolwork - but while Australian families spend almost $1 billion on private tutoring every year, we want to provide it at no cost," Mayor of Blacktown City Councillor Charlie Lowles said.

The number of students getting homework help has grown by almost 200% each year since 2006. Just in 2009, 1700 students have found help with homework and before exams - that's more than 30,000 minutes Blacktown City students have spent learning outside school hours with qualified tutors online.

"It can be accessed at any of the library branches libraries, or through the library website from a home internet connection. All it requires is a library card number - so all students across the Blacktown area all have equal access," Mayor Lowles said.

"This award recognises all Blacktown City Libraries' work in creating successful online learning communities and their commitment to education support to families, students and schools.

"An outstanding example has been the ongoing partnership between Hebersham Public School and Mt Druitt Branch Library, in which regular 'Beyond Google' sessions are held for students featuring yourtutor and other relevant online resources and research techniques.

Programs such as 'Beyond Google' help to address the digital divide in Blacktown City which is a key trigger project in Blacktown City Council's Vision for the future: Blacktown City 2025 - Delivering the Vision together," Mayor Lowles said.

The organisation behind yourtutor is Tutoring Australasia who manages strict screening processes of tutors and all exchanges between students and tutors are monitored.

Tutoring Australasia CEO Jack Goodman said that the libraries recognised in the top 15 were noted for their outstanding commitment to learning support - notably with high staff awareness, ongoing communication to families, students, schools, the wider community and active collaboration with local partners.

There are 350 libraries across Australia eligible for the award, and this month Blacktown City was announced in the Top 15 for 2009-2010.

For more information, contact the Max Webber Library on 9839-6620, or your branch library.

In addition to the yourtutor online service, Blacktown City Libraries offer a range of other online and other assistance for students including but not restricted to:

There are 5 library branches within the Blacktown Local Government Area

Blacktown, Mount Druitt, Stanhope, Riverstone and Lalor Park

1. Online Free tutoring service: yourtutor

Free homework help - connection to a live tutor online from the library's website which can be accessed from home or in the library www.yourtutor.com.au for details or http://www.libraries.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/ and click on yourtutor to connect. Service available Mon-Fri, 4.00pm-8.00pm

NB Council held HSC lectures in June 2009 in English and essay writing skills as well as interactive mathematics workshops.

2. Resources

Many resources including a dedicated HSC collection eg study guides, such as Excel and Macquarie, criticisms, prescribed texts for in-house reference use + some titles available for loan. Plus many other resources in a variety of formats (includes clippings service for HSC subjects, legal resources and much more). You can search for HSC Resources through the Library catalogue
http://www.libcat.blacktown.nsw.gov.au

3. Free online databases eg Master File Premier, Facts on File Science Online, Britannica Online. Some are available via the Library's webpage from home

4. Access to information professionals to help with research

5. Dedicated quiet / study space/areas.

6. Free access to PCs with internet and word processing, free wireless connectivity at every branch library.

7. Ask-A-Librarian free email service - check out the Library's webpage http://www.libraries.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/

8. Students4Students Coaching have partnered with Blacktown City Libraries to offer a free coaching service for students at Max Webber Library Blacktown every Tuesday 4.00pm-6.00pm during term. Special emphasis on science and mathematics.

9. FREE homework help: Blacktown Youth Service Association together with the Max Webber Library offer free homework help every Wednesday during school terms from 3.30pm-5.30pm - emphasis is on assisting students whose first language is not English.