Homeschool benefits and savings in Urbana
The Urbana Free Library lends hands-on literacy, math, and science kits, each a backpack of activities and resources for preschool and elementary children, plus theme kits for early learning topics. You can borrow up to five kits on a card for two weeks, with automatic renewals and no overdue fines; cards are free inside Urbana city limits.
Who qualifies
Has an Urbana library card
Residents within Urbana city limits get a free card that lasts three years. Bring an unexpired photo ID and a bill postmarked in the last 30 days.
Or pays the nonresident fee
Households in the Urbana School District outside city limits can buy a one-year card priced at the library tax their property would owe inside the city. Call to apply.
Teaches or cares for children
The library made the kits for teachers, caregivers, and parents. It asks for no school affiliation, so a homeschool parent borrows them with an ordinary card.
What the card gives you
The limits come from the Urbana Free Library's borrowing and library card pages.
- Kits out at once
- 5
- Kit loan period
- 2 weeks
- Automatic renewals
- Up to 10
- Overdue fines
- None
- Resident card
- Free, 3 years
- Fees that block new checkouts
- Over $25
The library charges for damaged or lost items, and an item 28 days overdue blocks new checkouts, so check every kit's pieces before returning it.
How to borrow kits
- Before you go
Gather ID
Bring an unexpired photo ID and proof of Urbana residence. A child 14 or younger must come with a parent who brings ID for the child's card.
- At the Welcome Desk
Get the card
Apply at 210 West Green Street. Nonresidents in the Urbana School District call 217-367-4057 first.
- Before checkout
Browse the kit lists
Look through the library's online lists of literacy, math, science, and theme kits and place holds for pickup on the main floor.
- Every 2 weeks
Renew or return
Kits renew automatically up to 10 times unless another patron has reserved them.
What it includes
Included
- Literacy, math, and science kits
- Activities and resources packed in each kit
Not included
- Free cards outside Urbana city limits
- Renewals when another patron has a hold
- Damaged or lost items
Good to know
Homeschool parents can borrow kits
The library describes the kits as resources for teachers, caregivers, and parents, and they check out on an ordinary library card. No school or teaching credential is required.
Kits are mainly for preschool and elementary ages
The literacy, math, and science kits are designed mainly for children in preschool and elementary school, and theme kits cover early learning topics.
Who to contact about the kits
Library staff answer card and kit questions, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
217-367-4057 Ask library staff
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Illinois
You do not have to file a homeschool notice.
Illinois sets these rules:
- Subjects: Teach language arts, math, biological, physical, and social sciences, fine arts, and physical development and health, in English, at least at public-school level.
- Testing: Illinois does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: Illinois does not require homeschool records.
- Teachers: The instructor must be competent; no state teaching certificate is required.
Read the Illinois homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Illinois
Questions parents ask
- What happens if a kit comes back late?
- The Urbana Free Library charges no overdue fines. An item 28 days overdue, or fees over $25, blocks new checkouts until resolved.
- We live in the Urbana School District but outside the city. Can we borrow?
- Yes, with a nonresident card that costs what your property would owe in library tax inside the city. It lasts one year; call 217-367-4057 to apply.
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.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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