Ayan Ismail was failing classes, and she was scared.
A 10th-grader at Roosevelt High School in south Minneapolis, she knew she needed help outside the classroom if she was going to improve her grades.
Little did she know that help was literally only several feet away from school — at the library across the street.
Since 1992, the Hennepin County Library system has offered free after-school tutoring at a dozen facilities on virtually any subject. Next year, three more libraries — Central, Webber Park and Cedar Riverside — will offer the program to students.
"It makes you more disciplined," said Ismail. "If you go to the library, you do more work. If I go home after school, I will watch dramas on TV."
A friend of her sister told Ismail about the program, which is offered at the Roosevelt branch library, directly across 28th Avenue S. from the high school. She immediately had a good feeling about the tutors, who she said appeared genuine in their desire to help her solve problems in mathematics and science.
"I was confused in class," she said. "But the tutors make you understand the subjects. Now, I raise my hand in class."
Nearly 300 people volunteer to be tutors, led by library employees. The program is structured more loosely than a classroom, and online tutoring is available. Funding from the Friends of the Hennepin County Library supports the tutors and provides supplies.