Homeschool benefits and savings in Contra Costa County

A Contra Costa County Library Institution Card gives a homeschooling parent a second, separate account with 9-week loans for teaching materials, alongside your personal card. California residents qualify by bringing a photo ID, proof of address, the signed form, and a homeschooling affidavit or proof of affiliation to any branch; the account lasts one year.

By Andrew Garber, founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed August 25, 2026.

Who qualifies

1. Teaches as a homeschooling educator

   Homeschooling educators are eligible, along with school staff and community service organization volunteers. Show a homeschooling affidavit or documentation of homeschool affiliation with an educational institution.

2. Lives in California

   The Institution Card requires California residency.

3. Brings ID and address proof

   Bring a photo ID, proof of your home and work addresses, and the printed Institution Card form with your signature.

4. Uses it for teaching

   The account is for materials you use with your students, separate from your family's personal borrowing.

What the card gives you

The terms come from Contra Costa County Library's Teachers and Educators page and its account policies.

Standard loan period

9 weeks

Lucky Day items and some kits

Shorter loans

Renewals

None

Libby and OverDrive e-materials

Included

Account length

1 year

Lost book, CD, or DVD

Price or $25, plus $10

Because Institution items cannot be renewed, the library starts them on a long loan so holds from other patrons do not cut your use short.

How to get the card

1. Before you go

   Gather your documents

   Print and sign the Institution Card form, and bring a photo ID, proof of address, and your homeschooling affidavit or affiliation document.

2. At any branch

   Open the account

   Any Contra Costa County Library location can set up the Institution account next to your personal card.

3. Each checkout

   Return on time

   Borrowing stops when an account owes $10 or more or has an item 30 or more days overdue.

4. After one year

   Re-verify in person

   The Institution Card does not renew automatically. Bring current proof of homeschooling to keep it.

What it includes

Included

• Books and media for teaching
• Libby and OverDrive e-materials
• Databases, where vendors allow

Not included

• Renewals
• Computers and printing
• Various kits
• LINK+ and Discover & Go
• Kanopy and Hoopla

Good to know

• You keep your regular card

  Each eligible person can hold one personal account and one Institution account, and your personal card is still the one to use for LINK+, Kanopy, Hoopla, and Discover & Go.

Who to contact about the card

Library staff answer account questions by phone and through the online contact form.

800-984-4636 Contact form

Homeschool rules and statewide help in California

For the home-based private-school pathway, file the Private School Affidavit during the October 1–15 annual filing period. New schools may use the online filing system during its separate August 1–June 30 opening window. Other legal pathways have their own rules.

California sets these rules:

• Subjects: The private-school pathway must provide instruction in English in the branches of study required for public schools; the parent chooses the materials and course sequence.
• Testing: California does not impose a statewide standardized-testing requirement on private-school students.
• Records: Private schools must keep the records required by California law, including attendance and faculty information.
• Teachers: Private-school instructors must be capable of teaching; California does not issue a separate homeschool-parent credential.

Read the California homeschooling guide See statewide programs in California

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