Homeschool benefits and savings in Mansfield
DeSoto Parish Library's mobileLIB outreach delivers library materials anywhere in DeSoto Parish and brings programs such as booktalks, storytime with crafts, beginning genealogy, information literacy classes, and reference help, and homeschool groups are on its list of groups served. Nonprofit groups can also reserve meeting rooms at the Mansfield, Logansport, Stonewall, and Pelican branches.
Who qualifies
Is in DeSoto Parish
mobileLIB delivers materials to individuals and organizations throughout DeSoto Parish.
Homeschool group or family
mobileLIB lists homeschool groups among the people it serves, along with schools, teachers, and anyone else in the parish.
Nonprofit group for meeting rooms
Meeting rooms are for nonprofit community groups, and a responsible person from the group must read the policy and sign the form before the room is reserved.
What the library offers
The terms come from DeSoto Parish Library's mobileLIB and public meeting rooms pages.
- Delivery of library materials
- Throughout the parish
- Programs mobileLIB brings
- Booktalks, storytime, genealogy, research
- Meeting room branches
- Mansfield, Logansport, Stonewall, Pelican
- Furniture in meeting rooms
- Tables and chairs
- Selling or admission charges
- Not allowed
The pages give no delivery schedule or meeting room capacity, so ask the mobileLIB contact or your branch manager when you call.
How to use it
- Before you call
Decide what you need
Choose whether you want materials delivered, a program for your group, or reference and research help.
- To request a visit
Contact mobileLIB
Call or email Brian McCarthy, library assistant, who tailors each visit to your group's interests.
- To book a room
Sign the meeting room form
Contact the branch manager at Mansfield, Logansport, Stonewall, or Pelican as early as possible. The room is not held until the policy form is signed, and library activities get priority.
- Meeting day
Set up and clean up
Your group sets up the tables and chairs, brings any equipment, and cleans up any refreshments right after the meeting.
What it includes
Included
- Delivery of library materials
- Booktalks, storytime, and crafts
- Reference and research help
- Meeting rooms for nonprofit groups
Not included
- Social occasions and private parties in meeting rooms
- Political or religious meetings
- Equipment and supplies for meetings
Who to contact about mobileLIB
Brian McCarthy, library assistant, schedules mobileLIB deliveries and programs.
bmccarthy@state.lib.la.us 318-872-6100 mobileLIB page
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Louisiana
BESE-approved home study: apply through LDOE within 15 days of starting; renew by October 1 or within 12 months of approval, whichever is later, or when advancing a grade. Nonpublic school not seeking approval: report enrollment annually as of the 30th school day; notify the previous public school within 10 days of enrollment when transferring.
Louisiana sets these rules:
- Subjects: Both routes require a 180-day school session. BESE-approved home study must provide sustained instruction at least equal in quality to public schools at the same grade; the nonpublic route does not require state curriculum approval.
- Testing: No mandatory state standardized test. BESE home-study renewal accepts a curriculum packet, qualifying standardized scores, or a grade-qualified certified teacher’s statement. The nonpublic route does not submit renewal test scores.
- Records: BESE home-study renewal requires evidence through the curriculum-packet, test-score, or teacher-statement option. For the nonpublic route, maintain attendance records and applicable immunization or exemption documentation.
- Teachers: BESE home-study parents or tutors need no teaching certification. An unfunded nonpublic school sets its own instructional-staff requirements.
Read the Louisiana homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Louisiana
Questions parents ask
- Can our homeschool group use mobileLIB?
- Yes. DeSoto Parish Library names homeschool groups among the groups mobileLIB serves, and staff shape each visit around what your group wants.
- Can DeSoto Parish Library help my student with a research project?
- Yes. mobileLIB offers reference services and information literacy classes, and it can help with beginning genealogy.
- Can our co-op meet at the library?
- Only if it is a nonprofit community group, which can book a meeting room. Religious meetings, private parties, and selling are not allowed, so describe your group's purpose when you ask the branch manager.
- Can we bring snacks to a meeting?
- You may, but food and drink are discouraged. If your group serves coffee or light refreshments, clean up immediately afterward; your group is liable for any damage.
- What if our meeting runs after the library closes?
- Arrange key pickup in advance with the librarian in charge.
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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