St. Louis County Library

Program Overview

St. Louis County Library is a vital community resource, supporting literacy and partnering with other organizations to support and enrich our community. In addition to books and other library materials, we offer free programs and services including computer classes, small business assistance, Career Online High School, job help, story times, STEM programming, summer and winter reading clubs, individualized help and so much more.

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Student and Volunteer Success Stories

Dropping out of high school is a decision that almost always has serious, long-lasting consequences. For those who drop out and regret doing so, it becomes harder and harder to find the time, the means, and the ability to resume studies and earn a diploma.

In October 2017, St. Louis County Library announced its sponsorship of the Career Online High School program. The Library Foundation followed suit, pledging money to pay for 57 scholarships, thereby taking care of one of the most common obstacles.

Nakeisha is the first person in St. Louis County to earn her high
school diploma through the Career Online High School program. She left high school in 2005 to raise her young daughter and to help raise her brother and sisters. It wasn't long before she realized that she couldn't lead the life she wanted without a diploma. Furthermore, she had to set an example for her children.

Participants in COHS are given 18 months to complete the coursework. Nakeisha first set her goal at completion by June 2018—six months. She soon realized that if she worked harder,
she could finish sooner. Nakeisha finished the COHS courses in less than three months, but it wasn't easy. It meant studying diligently, and that meant she took her Chromebook everywhere. At times, Nakeisha worked 8-9 hours straight to complete the lessons and take the tests.

A day came in March when Nakeisha knew she was close to the end. She isolated herself to put on the final push. Her kids kept poking their heads in, asking if she was finished yet. When it was over, she waited to press Enter on thelast test, hoping she would pass. Waiting for the results was excruciating. Nakeisha
describes what happened next as her children, sister and mother all waited with her in the kitchen.

"The computer showed confetti, so I knew I passed! Everybody was screaming and crying. It was noisy and everybody was excited! My child said, 'Mommy, we are so happy for you.'"

The path to earning a high school diploma was a long one and certainly not easy. With the help of St. Louis County Library and the Library Foundation, Nakeisha put in the work and the hours to do it.

"I owed it to myself," she said. "There wasn't anything that was too hard. I just had to work at it all day, day in/day out."