Homeschool benefits and savings in Old Saybrook

Acton Public Library's teacher card gives homeschool educators a separate account with a five-week loan period and no fines. Homeschool parents who live or work in Old Saybrook can apply, and the card is updated each year.

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

Who qualifies

1. Homeschool educator

   The teacher card is open to teachers, homeschool educators, and preschool or day care providers.

2. Lives or works in Old Saybrook

   Unlike a regular Acton card, which is only for Old Saybrook residents, the teacher card also covers educators who work in town.

3. Shows proof of address

   For a resident card, bring a Connecticut or federal photo ID, a utility or tax bill from the last 30 days, or mail postmarked within 30 days.

What the card gives you

The terms come from Acton Public Library's card registration page and circulation policy.

Loan period on the teacher card

5 weeks

Loan period for books on a regular card

21 days

Overdue fines on the teacher card

None

Lost book with no listed price

$25

Replacement card

$1

Lost or damaged items on a teacher card are your responsibility, and an item three weeks overdue is treated as lost and blocks the card.

How to get the card

1. Before you apply

   Check where you qualify

   Confirm that you live or work in Old Saybrook and teach your children at home.

2. To apply

   Register for a card

   Fill out the library's online New Library Card Registration form and say you are applying for a teacher card as a homeschool educator.

3. Each checkout

   Return within five weeks

   Teacher card items are due in five weeks. A reminder goes out at two weeks overdue.

4. Each year

   Update the card

   Teacher cards are updated yearly, so check in with the library each school year.

What it includes

Included

• A separate account for homeschool materials
• Five-week loans
• Checkouts without overdue fines

Not included

• Lost or damaged items
• Newspapers and reference materials, which do not circulate

Good to know

• Homeschool educators in Old Saybrook can apply

  Acton Public Library names homeschool educators who live in or work in Old Saybrook among the people who may apply for its teacher card.

• A teacher card keeps homeschool borrowing separate

  The teacher card keeps your homeschool borrowing separate from your personal account, and items stay out five weeks instead of the regular 21 days for books.

• You pay replacement cost for a lost book

  You pay a lost item's replacement cost, with a default of $25 per book. The library does not accept a replacement copy instead of payment.

Who to contact about the card

Acton Public Library staff in Old Saybrook issue teacher cards and answer questions about card accounts.

860-395-3184 Contact the library

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Connecticut

State law does not require a homeschool notice. The State Department of Education asks parents to tell their local school district that they intend to homeschool, but that request is guidance, not a legal requirement.

Connecticut sets these rules:

• Subjects: Instruction in Connecticut must include reading, writing, spelling, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, US history, and citizenship.
• Testing: Connecticut does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
• Records: Connecticut does not require homeschool records, but keeping them is recommended.
• Teachers: Connecticut does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.

Read the Connecticut homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Connecticut

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