Auburndale Tutors Come To You

Since the advent of the internet and new media, the image of the public library has suffered. Touted by critics as obsolete, a waste of public funds, and outdated, libraries across the United States have seen a decline in patronage, no doubt. In spite of this, the Queens library system, based out of the borough of Queens, New York, continues to grow and update their approach to the role of the library in public life, providing residents in dozens of different neighborhoods with free internet access, books to check out, and other community programs that invite locals to interact with one another. One such branch of this network is located in Auburndale, one of the neighborhoods in Queens.

The Auburndale branch, which serves thousands of people who live in on a few square miles’ radius, reaches the community by opening in the early afternoon and closing later in the evening. Its hours—along with the libraries of other communities—accommodate those who occupy all areas of the socioeconomic spectrum. Knowing that many people do not get off work until early evening, or later, the library keeps its doors open until 8:00 pm on Mondays and Thursdays, and 6:00 the remaining days of the week, except Sundays, when the library is closed. Also knowing that many would be unable to make early morning hours, the library staff recognizes the building can be open for peak travel and traffic times in the early afternoon.

Auburndale, as other branches, is concerned with the written word and its power. As a result, the library system has a thriving network of author talks and discussions, book discussion groups for local community members, open mic poetry and creative fiction nights, writing workshops, and even guides on how to self-publish for aspiring authors.

One of the most crucial roles the library embodies is to provide resources for the local community. With no guarantee that locals have internet access at home, the library system is in place to give people access to important tools that ensure success in everyday life. At the library, individuals can learn how to do anything, either in books or thanks to the magic of the connectedness of the internet. Librarians are trained not only to ensure noise codes are followed—this, perhaps, being an unfair stereotype—but also expert researchers to guide patrons through any and all resources available for their use. If nothing else, the Harry Potter series had collectively taught us that whenever we have a question, we can often find the answer, or the beginning of the answer, with a trip to the library.

Like librarians, tutors in Auburndale are trained to guide struggling students through whatever difficulty or setback they experience with academic success. Perhaps their clients will even meet them at the local library for that help they need to get ahead, and come away from their tutoring appointments with renewed self-confidence. Grade Potential tutors, just like the Queens library system, are invested in the students of their local community.