College and Job Prep

Funding provided by The Cleveland Foundation helped to cover after-school tutoring and homework help for students and even some adults. The funds also covered a series of college prep classes provided by College Now Greater Cleveland, which included intensive “boot camp” style training to help prepare students taking the ACT by teaching them study strategies and test-taking skills. Students enrolled in the College Now program also had the opportunity to visit six colleges throughout the year.

A specific college-prep program targeting high school sophomores was Rockin' the 216. Kicked off in late 2012, the program took root in 2013. Created in conjunction with College Now Greater Cleveland, the eight-week program seeks to prepare students for college by providing advanced math and reading proficiency through ACT preparation as well as digital arts instruction. Included as part of Rockin’ the 216 was a visit by Wes Moore, Rhodes Scholar, veteran, White House Fellow and author of The Other Wes Moore. This book was being read by 100 greater Cleveland high school students participating in the Rockin’ the 216 program.

In 2013 we began offering a new online educational resource called LearningExpressLibrary. It provides an interactive online collection of practice tests and tutorial courses to help students and adult learners succeed on proficiency tests, high school and college placement tests, or licensing exams. Tests are scored with results being made available immediately. Testers also receive complete answer explanations and an individualized analysis of their results. Practice exams include GED Prep, College Prep including SAT and ACT, Grad School Entrance, Military, Nursing, Real Estate, Law Enforcement, US Citizenship, Civil Service and much more. The Job & Career Accelerator provides an ideal tool for comprehensive job searching.

Beyond these programs, the Library also hosted an Entrepreneurship Primer workshop for patrons interested in starting their own business.