Beginning next Wednesday, the State Library of Kansas will launch HomeworkKansas, an interactive for students in grades four through 12 and college introduction level courses.

The service is free and is accessible at public libraries or at home with a Kansas Library Card. The card is different from a regular public library card, but is available at any public library in the state.

When requesting online services, students choose their grade and subject area in which they need assistance. Within seven minutes, a certified tutor should be online to help the students. Tutors are teachers, college professors, professional tutors or graduate students from across the U.S. and Canada.

Tonganoxie library director Sharon Moreland said some Tonganoxie students already have expressed interest.

Moreland and library employee Jim Morey attended last week’s Tonganoxie school district open house. Moreland said they signed up six junior high students and three high school students. In addition, two home-school students plan to use the service.

Librarians at the school district also are considering using the program.

“It hasn’t been promoted to them as much as it has been to the public libraries, so I’m going to get involved,” Moreland said.

Carolyn Courtney, director at the McLouth Public Library, said she hasn’t received any feedback from students interested in the program, but said she handed out information to teachers and administrators at the district’s open house.

Only PC users can use the tutoring program, as Macintosh computers aren’t compatible.

“The state library is aware that is kind of an issue, and they’re hoping to remedy it,” Moreland said.

HomeworkKansas is available seven days a week from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. In addition, assistance for Spanish-speaking students in math and science is available from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.