Homeschool benefits and savings in Boaz
Boaz Public Library runs Homeschool Hangout, a free program for homeschoolers of all ages on the first Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m., September through April, open to families from anywhere. A free library card, for families in Boaz, Marshall County, or within 20 miles of the library, lets your family borrow up to 20 books for two weeks, plus STEAM kits and digital services such as Libby and Hoopla.
Who qualifies
Anyone for Homeschool Hangout
The monthly program welcomes homeschoolers of all ages and is not limited to Boaz residents, so your family can attend from anywhere.
Lives near Boaz
Membership is free to Boaz residents, people living within 20 miles of the library, Marshall County residents, and people who work in Boaz or attend Snead State Community College.
Other Alabama residents pay
Alabama residents outside the 20-mile radius and outside Marshall County pay $20 a person or $40 a family for a one-year card. Out-of-state residents cannot get a card.
Shows ID and address
Bring a government photo ID or student card and proof of address, such as mail, a utility bill, or a pay stub. Children under 16 need a parent or guardian with their own card to sign for them.
What the card gives you
The limits come from the Boaz Public Library Policies and Procedures Manual and the library's Services page.
- Books out at one time
- 20
- Book loan period
- 2 weeks
- STEAM kits per household
- 2
- DVDs per household, age 16 and up
- 6 for 7 days
- Items on hold
- 25
- Card for Alabama non-residents
- $20 or $40/year
A new card holder can check out only three items on the first visit, and the 20-book limit opens once those come back.
How to join and borrow
- Any month, September-April
Come to Homeschool Hangout
Bring your children to the library at 404 Thomas Avenue at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the month. No card is needed to attend.
- At the desk
Apply for a card
Fill out the membership application with photo ID and proof of address. Online registration gives digital access only.
- First visit
Start with three items
New full-privilege card holders take home three items, and the limit lifts when they are returned.
- Every two weeks
Return or renew
Books renew automatically once and you can renew once more online or by phone if no one has a hold. Boaz Public Library no longer charges overdue fines, but items 28 days late are billed at full replacement value and block new checkouts.
- Every 3 years
Update the card
Cards expire every three years and can be updated online or in person. Non-resident cards renew each year.
What it includes
Included
- Homeschool Hangout programs
- Books, audiobooks, DVDs, games, and STEAM kits
- Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, and ABC Mouse
- Mango Languages and TumbleMath
- Public computers and Wi-Fi
Not included
- Cards for out-of-state residents
- Checkouts of reference and genealogy books
- Free cards for Alabama residents beyond 20 miles
- Copies and prints, at 10 or 25 cents a page
Who to contact about the library
Library staff answer questions about cards, Homeschool Hangout, and other children's programs, Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Alabama
Alabama lists three routes for home education: church school, private school, or private tutor. The reporting steps depend on the route; a private tutor files with the local superintendent before instruction begins.
Alabama sets these rules:
- Subjects: Church- and private-school routes follow their applicable school requirements. A private tutor must teach public-school branches at least 3 hours daily for 140 days each year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., in English.
- Testing: Alabama does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: A private tutor keeps a daily instruction and attendance register; church- and private-school record rules depend on the route.
- Teachers: A private tutor must hold a valid Alabama teaching certificate; church- and private-school routes have separate requirements.
Alabama also has an education savings account that home-educated students can use.
- The CHOOSE Act pays $2,000 per home-education student, up to $4,000 per family, for approved costs during the school year. The 2026-27 window closed March 31, 2026.
- TheHomeschoolingCompany is an approved vendor for it.
Read the Alabama homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Alabama
Questions parents ask
- Does my homeschooled child need a school ID to get a Boaz library card?
- No. A school card is one accepted ID, but a government photo ID works too. For a child under 16, a parent or guardian with their own card signs as the responsible party.
- We live in another Alabama county. Can we borrow from Boaz Public Library?
- Yes. Farther away in Alabama, a card costs $20 a year for one person or $40 for a family.
- Are there late fees?
- No.
- What are STEAM kits?
- They are hands-on kits for all ages that you borrow for two weeks. A household can have two at a time, and they must go back to the front desk rather than the book drop.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Books and library resources give your child something to explore. We turn their interests into coursework, so library discoveries can lead to deeper study at home. We are an approved CHOOSE Act ESA vendor, so your ClassWallet balance can pay for it.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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