When Ricardo Lind-Gonzalez, 14, needs help solving an algebra equation, he doesn't stay after school to visit with his teacher. Instead he logs on to Live Homework Help, a free online tutoring program now offered through the Natrona County Public Library.

"It helps to talk about the problems with someone," the Dean Morgan Junior High School student said.

Even though Ricardo's math book offers hints for solving problems, he likes the extra help he gets from the site.

The library contracted with tutor.com to bring students Live Homework Help. A grant from the Natrona County Recreation Joint Powers board is funding the program.

"It really seemed like a good fit for us," said Brenda Thompson, the library's community relations coordinator.

The library focused the program on students who might not have access to a computer at home, or who simply need extra help in class.

Teen librarian Jenn Beckstead said students are stopping by the library to use the site, but most log on from their home computers.

Using the site doesn't require the student be part of a set tutoring program, nor does it require students to give their names. The anonymity provides an incentive to log on and learn, Beckstead said.

"They don't have to worry that the tutor's going to care" if they miss a problem or concept, she said.

The site is set up like a chat room, a familiar setting for many teenagers. Students can "chat" with a tutor about quadratic equations or the symbolism in Lord of the Flies. They can also send reports or papers to a tutor for proofreading through file sharing.

The tutors are teachers, students seeking their master's degrees, professors and other education professionals. Tutor.com offers subject material and help for everyone, from fourth-graders to first-year college students.

The site is available from 3 to 9 p.m. every day. A Spanish version of the site is available 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. A library card number is required to log on to the site from a non-library computer.

There is no time limit for visiting with a tutor. Students can essentially use the site until it goes offline. This makes the program good for those nights when students suddenly realize they put off homework, Beckstead said.

Tutoring programs are proliferating in Natrona County. The school board recently allocated $10,000 for hiring an additional five elementary school tutors. Live Homework Help is also part of a new program through GEAR UP and the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming for students who participate in those groups.

Ricardo said sometimes getting help from a teacher is hard, because student and teacher schedules don't always match up. And when a tutor couldn't answer his math question on Thursday, all Ricardo had to do was wait for a new tutor to help him out.

"Last time it was better, because I didn't have to do this all graphing stuff," he said. "If I had Internet at home, it'd be a lot more helpful."

Reach Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@casperstartribune.net.