Homeschool benefits and savings in the Johnsburg Public Library District
Johnsburg Public Library's Homeschool Resource Center lends curriculum, science equipment such as microscopes and telescopes, math manipulatives, and educational games for six weeks, with one six-week renewal when no one is waiting. Anyone with a valid, full-service Illinois public library card can borrow, homeschooling or not.
Who qualifies
Has a full-service Illinois card
Checkout needs a valid, full-service Illinois public library card. Residents of the Johnsburg Public Library District get one free.
Anyone can use it
You do not have to homeschool to use the center, so there is nothing to prove about your homeschool.
Children come with an adult
Because many items have small pieces and fragile parts, children must be accompanied by an adult in the center.
What the center lends
The terms come from Johnsburg Public Library's Homeschool Resource Center and services pages.
- Curriculum, games, software, music
- 6 weeks
- Science equipment and kits
- 6 weeks
- Renewal with no holds
- 6 more weeks
- Card for district residents
- Free
- Consultant meeting
- Free, by appointment
The page does not list a per-card item limit or fines, so ask the library before you check out a large set of curriculum.
How to borrow
- Before you go
Check your card
Make sure you have a valid, full-service Illinois public library card. If you live outside the district, ask your home library whether your card qualifies.
- At the library
Browse the center
Items are shelved by Dewey Decimal number, not grade level. Count every piece of a kit before you leave.
- Within 6 weeks
Renew or return
Renew once for six more weeks if there are no holds. Return non-book items directly to Johnsburg; book items can go to any Illinois library at least two weeks before the due date.
What it includes
Included
- Curriculum such as Sonlight, MasterBooks, and Life of Fred
- Microscopes, telescopes, glassware, and science kits
- Math manipulatives
- Educational games, software, and music
- One-on-one meetings with an educational consultant
Not included
- Returns of non-book items at other libraries
- Renewals when another patron has a hold
- Checkout without a full-service Illinois card
Good to know
No homeschool proof is needed
The library says anyone can use the Homeschool Resource Center, and you do not need to be a homeschooler. You only need a valid, full-service Illinois public library card to check items out.
You can try a curriculum before buying it
The library describes the center as a way to try before you buy, with titles including Sonlight, MasterBooks, Easy Grammar, Five in a Row, and Life of Fred.
Who to contact about the Resource Center
Library staff answer questions about cards and the Homeschool Resource Center at 3000 N. Johnsburg Road, Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
815-344-0077 Contact the library
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
- Where do we return a microscope or kit?
- To the Johnsburg library itself, since non-book items cannot go to other libraries. Count every piece before returning, because you are responsible for each one.
- Can I get help choosing materials?
- Yes. The library offers free one-on-one meetings with its educational consultant by appointment, booked through the email link on the Resource Center page.
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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