Homeschool benefits and savings in Mahaska County
Oskaloosa Public Library lets homeschool parents apply for an Educator's Card and borrow classroom materials for up to eight weeks without penalty or fines. You can also ask staff to pull materials for pickup with at least 24 hours of notice.
Who qualifies
You teach your child at home
Home school parents are explicitly eligible to apply for an Educator's Card.
Use the educator card
The extended loan applies to materials checked out for classroom use with this card.
Give staff advance notice
Requests for staff to pull materials must arrive at least 24 hours before you need them.
What the program gives you
The library's educator-services page sets the eight-week loan period and 24-hour request notice.
- Classroom materials
- Loans up to 8 weeks
- Educator loans
- Without penalty or fines
- Materials pulled by staff
- At least 24 hours of notice
- Prepared requests
- Pickup at the circulation desk
- Classroom visits and book talks
- Arrange with the Director
How to use the program
- Before borrowing
Apply for an educator card
Ask the library for an Educator's Card as a homeschool parent.
- At least 24 hours ahead
Request materials
Call the library or submit its Educator's Request form to have staff pull materials.
- At the library
Collect your request
Pick up the filled request at the circulation desk and check out classroom materials with your educator card.
- For a group visit
Contact the Director
Email the Director to arrange classroom visits or book talks.
What it includes
Included
- Extended classroom loans
- Staff-selected pickup materials
- Classroom visits
- Book talks
Who to contact
Library staff handle educator cards and material requests, and the Director arranges visits and book talks.
director@oskaloosalibrary.org 641-673-0441 Educator request form
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Iowa
You do not have to file a homeschool notice for independent private instruction.
Iowa sets these rules:
- Subjects: IPI must cover mathematics, reading and language arts, science, and social studies at all grade levels. CPI must provide at least 148 days of instruction annually, with attendance on at least 37 days each school quarter; its other rules depend on the option.
- Testing: No standardized testing required for independent option.
- Records: IPI must provide specified instructor, location, authority, and student information on written request; CPI reporting and record rules depend on the option.
- Teachers: Iowa does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.
Read the Iowa homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Iowa
Questions parents ask
- Do my personal Oskaloosa library loans also get eight weeks?
- Not that the library says. The published eight-week loan is for classroom-use materials borrowed with an Educator's Card.
- Can Oskaloosa library staff gather books before I arrive?
- Yes. Request a prepared collection by phone or the educator form, and allow a full 24 hours before you need the materials.
- Where do I collect a prepared request?
- At the circulation desk, where staff leave filled requests for pickup.
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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