Free homework help will be available at Catawba County Library in Newton starting Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Elementary and middle school students may take advantage of  tutoring by teens from Newton Health & Science High School. The program begins after school next Tuesday, at 3:15 p.m. and will run until about 4:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays through mid-December.

The tutors will earn service credit for their volunteer hours while and younger students will receive needed help with their homework.

“The program was successful last spring and we expect it to be so again,” said Richard Griffin, Youth Services librarian. “We want to encourage young people to use the library and to know that we are here to support their education.”

Library staff will provide basic supplies such as paper, calculators, books and other resources.

Griffin noted that the Main Library offers a number of homework help computer programs such as Success Deluxe 2009 for elementary through high school levels to allow students to review lessons in several subjects at their own pace. Snacks will be provided by Friends of Catawba County Library.

Participants will need to bring their own textbooks and related materials. It will also be necessary for youngsters to obtain a library card so the library will have contact information. Library card applications require a parent’s signature.

Parents may register their children for the tutoring program by calling the Main Library at 465-8668.

Catawba County Library System, headquartered in Newton, serves some 70,400 registered users, many of them under 18.