Care.com is an online service that matches families with caregivers - including babysitters, nannies, pet sitters, dog walkers, tutors, and respite care for seniors.

Families can search Care.com by their zip code or metro area to find listings of caregivers who match their specific needs. Search results include enhanced caregiver profiles - with photos, video interviews, and references - which families can view before contacting a caregiver about a job. Plus, families can request free background checks on any caregiver as part of their monthly membership.

Students at Classsic TaeKwonDo Studios range in age from five to 74! The majority are adults, but all get a challenging workout, with the potential benefit of self-defense. Many children attend class with siblings and/or parents. Classic TaeKwonDo Studios emphasizes family involvement; children are not separated from adults, and women are not separated from men. Discipline and respect are stressed in training, though the atmosphere is non-militaristic.

All program fees include three months of unlimited participation, offering scheduling flexibility. Uniforms and semi-private lessons are also included.

Afterschool care: Children can be picked up at their schools and spend the afternoon in a safe and secure environment where they work on homework, have a wholesome (and usually organic) snack, enjoy games and activities, then spend an hour on TaeKwonDo before pick up.

Summer Camps: Weekly offerings for kids ages six to 12.

College Nannies & Tutors provides one-on-one tutors for kids ages three and up, and for ACT/SAT preparation. The agency also places nannies in families with children from infants to teens. Background and reference checks are performed on prospective nannies and tutors.

In addition, the agency storefront serves as an outpost of kiddywampus, offering a small selection of the colorful toys and playthings for which the main St. Louis Park store is known.

This large Saint Paul Public Library branch is located on the campus of Metropolitan State University, but the collection is squarely aimed at families: materials for children and teens comprise approximately 70 percent of the collection.

The library's quiet and comfortable Zone Homework Center features computers, reference books, office supplies, and mentors, so kids can work on homework alone or seek help.

The library hosts storytimes and other family-friendly programming throughout the year, and patrons enjoy reciprocity privileges at libraries throughout the seven-county metro area.

The Teens Know Best Committee meets monthly. Kids ages 12 to 18 can join to share their opinions and ideas; committee members often review books before they hit stores. Call 651.793.1699 for more information.

The offerings at the recently-renovated Franklin division of the Hennepin County Library (now merged with the MPL system) are as diverse as the community it serves.

Improvements here include an expanded children's section with a welcoming pavillion and storybook room; a teen-friendly area with magazines, books, computers, and comfortable seating; upgraded technology, including a Learning Center and Tech Center; enhanced world language offerings; and the addition of self-service checkout machines. Mosaic pictographs and petroglyphs celebrate the cultural richness of the neighborhood.

The library hosts events and programs for kids and families throughout the year, including Homework Helpers, with many bilingual offerings, and programs in Somali and Spanish.

With 41 urban and suburban locations, the Hennepin County Library - which recently merged with the Minneapolis Public Library - provides a host of traditional, as well as electronic, services, and a considerable range of free events and programming for all ages, including an extensive series of live performances each summer. The collection encompasses more than five million books, CDs, and DVDs in 40 languages, and 1,600 public-use computers.

Anticipated long-term benefits of the merger are more
streamlined service, easier access to the entire collection, and expanded programming and information. However, while the two library systems integrate, they maintain separate websites and catalogs. The websites include information on events, materials, volunteer opportunities, job links, and reading suggestions.

Account information is also available online, making renewals a breeze and helping to avoid late fees; patrons can also sign up to receive email notification of approaching due dates.

Most items in the online catalog can be requested, and, once available, held for pickup at the branch of your choice. It's as easy as placing an order at Amazon.com, but it won't set you back a dime!

The reciprocity agreement between metro area public library systems offers enormous convenience. A card from one system provides access to all, and checked out items can be returned to any branch in any of the systems, regardless of where you got them. (It takes longer for such returns to be reflected in the computer system, but late fees stop accruing on the actual return date, not when the items are reshelved at the original branch.)

Huntington Learning Center offers K-12 testing and tutoring in Reading, Study Skills, Writing, Phonics, Spelling, Math, and SAT/ACT Prep.

Huntington Learning Center offers K-12 testing and tutoring in Reading, Study Skills, Writing, Phonics, Spelling, Math, and SAT/ACT Prep.

Huntington Learning Center offers K-12 testing and tutoring in Reading, Study Skills, Writing, Phonics, Spelling, Math, and SAT/ACT Prep.

Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions has been helping students improve standardized test scores, including entrance exams for college and graduate school, for more than 70 years. Some centers also offer free practice tests and seminars. Check online for locations and services.

KwizNET is a web-based learning system featuring grade-appropriate quizzes and printable worksheets based on widely recognized curricula. Additional features include auto-generated quizzes, instant scoring, progress tracking, and award certificates.

KwizNET offers a free one-hour trial.

KwizNET is a web-based learning system featuring grade-appropriate quizzes and printable worksheets based on widely recognized curricula. Additional features include auto-generated quizzes, instant scoring, progress tracking, and award certificates.

KwizNET offers a free one-hour trial.

The Central Library's flashy digs - opened in 2006 and chock full of high tech features and family-friendly conveniences - are the jewel in the crown of the Minneapolis Public Library system, which recently merged with its suburban Hennepin County counterpart.

The Cesar Pelli-designed site features free wi-fi and more than 300 public-use computers, a bookstore, a cutting-edge teen space, an auditorium/theater, a technology center, and a large children's library. An on-site Dunn Bros. cafe opens early in the morning.

The Children's Library has materials in more than 30 languages; the loft-like Emma B. Howe Teen Central was designed by and for teens; the New Americans Center caters to our newest community members. And like the other metro area libraries, the branch is part of the seven-county MELSA reciprocity program, which allows patrons to take out and return books at any library in the program.

The dozen branches of the Minneapolis Public Library have merged with the suburban Hennepin County Library to ease budget woes and provide a wealth of services for urban and suburban patrons, including free events, classes, and programs for all ages, and an extensive series of Homework Help offerings for teens.

Many locations have recently been renovated, with children's and teen sections added or enhanced. The most notable is the flagship Central Library, which reopened in its new building May 20, 2006, and features a Dunn Bros. cafe, bookstore, cutting-edge teen space, technology center, and large children's library.

Visit our Hennepin County Library and individual branch listings for more information.

The Northeast Branch of the MPL system is bustling, despite its plain-Jane but serviceable atmosphere.

The librarians are particularly friendly here, and the medium-sized collection of youth materials is relatively contained and easy to browse. There's usually a wait for internet access on the library's computers, but an automated self-service system makes check out easy.

Foreign language materials are available, and the library regularly hosts preschool and bilingual storytimes, homework help, and other programs.

The Northeast Branch of the MPL system is bustling, despite its plain-Jane but serviceable atmosphere.

The librarians are particularly friendly here, and the medium-sized collection of youth materials is relatively contained and easy to browse. There's usually a wait for internet access on the library's computers, but an automated self-service system makes check out easy.

Foreign language materials are available, and the library regularly hosts preschool and bilingual storytimes, homework help, and other programs.

The large fresco that greets visitors upon entering Pierre Bottineau Library - a recently-restored Hennepin County/MPL branch - is lovely, and the care that went into the award-winning renovation on the historic Grain Belt Brewery campus is evident throughout.

The Children's Library is set apart from the rest of the facilities, left of the entry. It features table and chair seating, a separate area for toddlers, a Youth Tech center, and an inviting gathering place. Restrooms are across from the automated check-out stations on the other side of the main entrance.

The Teen Zone is to the right of the entry, with computers and other amenities for older kids. Homework Help is offered regularly.

The library hosts events and programs for kids and families throughout the year.

About half the transactions at this bustling mid-sized branch of the Saint Paul Public Library are for materials for children and teens.

Each year, thousands of students avail themselves of the homework help offered at the library's STARS Center (Students Together After School at Rice Street), and there's often a wait in the evening to use one of the 19 computer workstations, each of which has an hour limit.

The library hosts storytimes and other family-friendly programming throughout the year, and patrons enjoy reciprocity privileges at libraries throughout the seven-county metro area.

The Riverview branch of the Saint Paul Public Library features a large collection of Spanish language materials, and the SHAC, a Student Homework and Activities Center.

The SHAC provides a comfortable place for kids to study and do homework, with computers, research books, math tools, and on-site tutors available. There's no charge for printing out materials. The library also seeks teens interested in serving on an advisory group to start newsletters, book clubs, and other activities. Call 651.266.7433 for more information. SHAC hours: Mon-Thu 3pm-7pm.

The library hosts storytimes and other family-friendly programming throughout the year, and patrons enjoy reciprocity privileges at libraries throughout the seven-county metro area.

The newest - and largest - branch of the Saint Paul Public Library system, opened in September, 2006. The award-winning mixed-use building has three floors of housing in addition to the 31,000-sq.-ft. library.

Rondo features daily storytimes, wi-fi internet access, a large collection of black history and foreign language materials, a dedicated homework center, and lots of public access computers. Patrons can buy snacks and beverages at an on-site coffee cart.

Enter this grand old building on Rice Park at street level and you might be tempted to veer left into Zelda's Coffee, serving ice cream, sandwiches, and other treats right at the library entrance. It's a good place to keep in mind during your visit, or when exploring this attraction-packed section of downtown.

The cafe is just the first of many kid-friendly conveniences here. The Teen Center, with computers, seating, and stacks, is off to the right at the end of the corridor, offering a secure haven away from the general collection on the upper levels, and definitively separate from the "little kids" space while still close by.

The Children's Library proper begins to the left, and winds through several distinct areas. Its dedicated information desk is manned by helpful library staffers, with lots of seating and tables, book displays, puppets, and much more to make a visit enjoyable.

A stage and puppet theatre at the back of the section hint at the great performances offered here during the weekly Saturday Live! program. Restrooms are in the main corridor, just outside the children's section.

After two years of restoration and expansion, this exquisite Tudor-style historic MPL branch is back in business, and well-worth a visit!

The new Teen Zone, right of the main entrance, features fast computers, homework help, and other amenities for teens and tweens. The large, skylit Children's Library has extensive offerings, and "special spaces," including a carefully-restored inviting room for reading storybooks, a cozy Book Nook cubby where children can plop down in bean bag chairs to read, and a Youth Tech computer area.

The North Side Learning Center on the lower level provides academic assistance and tutoring.

After two years of restoration and expansion, this exquisite Tudor-style historic MPL branch is back in business, and well-worth a visit!

The new Teen Zone, right of the main entrance, features fast computers, homework help, and other amenities for teens and tweens. The large, skylit Children's Library has extensive offerings, and "special spaces," including a carefully-restored inviting room for reading storybooks, a cozy Book Nook cubby where children can plop down in bean bag chairs to read, and a Youth Tech computer area.

The North Side Learning Center on the lower level provides academic assistance and tutoring.

About a third of the materials at this easternmost branch of the Saint Paul Public Library are geared toward children.

The branch also offers free WiFi internet access and Sunday hours. The SunSPOT Homework Center (Study Place Offering Tutoring) provides computer workstations and free homework help for students of all ages. Hours: Mon-Thu 3pm-7pm; Sun 1pm-4pm.

Storytimes and family-friendly programs are offered throughout the year, and patrons enjoy reciprocity privileges at libraries throughout the seven-county metro area.

Sylvan offers supplemental academics in a small group setting for kindergarten though high school-aged children.

Diagnostic placement tests and personalized curriculum materials provide for realistic goal setting and ensure that children work at an appropriate level and pace. Subjects include math, reading, writing, test preparation, and study skills.

Sylvan strives to increase each child's self-confidence and uses a positive motivation program for good work, including tokens and checkbooks for purchases at the Sylvan Store. Directors confer with parents once a month and will work with each child's school teacher for a coordinated effort meant to optimize the child's success in the program.

Sylvan offers supplemental academics in a small group setting for kindergarten though high school-aged children.

Diagnostic placement tests and personalized curriculum materials provide for realistic goal setting and ensure that children work at an appropriate level and pace. Subjects include math, reading, writing, test preparation, and study skills.

Sylvan strives to increase each child's self-confidence and uses a positive motivation program for good work, including tokens and checkbooks for purchases at the Sylvan Store. Directors confer with parents once a month and will work with each child's school teacher for a coordinated effort meant to optimize the child's success in the program.

Sylvan offers supplemental academics in a small group setting for kindergarten though high school-aged children.

Diagnostic placement tests and personalized curriculum materials provide for realistic goal setting and ensure that children work at an appropriate level and pace. Subjects include math, reading, writing, test preparation, and study skills.

Sylvan strives to increase each child's self-confidence and uses a positive motivation program for good work, including tokens and checkbooks for purchases at the Sylvan Store. Directors confer with parents once a month and will work with each child's school teacher for a coordinated effort meant to optimize the child's success in the program.