Homeschool benefits: Talbot County Free Library
Talbot County Free Library's Teacher's Library Card lets a homeschool parent borrow up to 50 books for 8 weeks at a time, with no overdue fines and no added fee. Homeschool parents who live in Talbot County qualify by showing verification of homeschooling status from Talbot County Public Schools.
Who qualifies
Homeschools in Talbot County
The card is for Talbot County educators, including homeschool parents or guardians who live in the county.
Shows homeschool verification
Bring verification of your homeschooling status from Talbot County Public Schools.
Has a personal library card
You need a personal Talbot County Free Library card first, and you can apply for both on the same day. Personal cards are free for Maryland residents.
Brings ID with your address
Show ID with your current home address. A current driver's license or Maryland MVA ID covers both photo ID and address.
What the card gives you
The limits come from the library's Teacher's Library Card page and its borrowing rules for standard cards.
- Books out on the Teacher's card
- 50
- Loan period
- 8 weeks
- Renewals
- None
- Added card fee
- None
- Items out on your personal card
- 50
- Card length
- Until Aug. 31
The library asks teachers to consider taking about 5 books on one subject when a larger pull would leave too few for other patrons.
How to get the card
- Before you go
Get your verification
Have your homeschooling verification from Talbot County Public Schools and an ID with your home address ready.
- At the branch
Apply in Easton or St. Michaels
Ask at the circulation desk for a personal card if you need one and the Teacher's card on the same visit.
- Each checkout
Return within 8 weeks
Teacher's card items cannot be renewed, and overdue items block new checkouts until they come back.
- Each fall
Renew for the school year
The card expires every August 31. Clear any balance on both your Teacher's and personal cards, then renew at the start of the school year.
What it includes
Included
- Up to 50 books at a time
- Digital collections and research databases
- Temporary classroom collections for your homeschool
Not included
- DVDs and Playaway Launchpads
- Interlibrary loan materials
- New books and other 14-day items
- Renewals
Anything the Teacher's card cannot borrow, such as DVDs and new books, goes on your personal card, which has its own 50-item limit.
Who to contact about the card
Staff at the Easton branch, 100 W. Dover St., answer questions about the Teacher's card and which IDs the library accepts.
410-822-1626 Contact the library
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Maryland
You must submit the prescribed consent form to the local superintendent at least 15 days before starting. District-supervised families verify continuation before each school year and report status changes. A qualifying nonpublic supervisor reports continuing enrollment and status changes to the district.
Maryland sets these rules:
- Subjects: Provide regular, thorough instruction of sufficient duration in English, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, and PE. A qualifying nonpublic-supervised program must provide regular, thorough instruction in the usual public-school studies.
- Testing: State standardized testing is voluntary. District-supervised programs have portfolio reviews at semester ends, with no more than three reviews per school year.
- Records: For district supervision, keep instructional materials and work samples demonstrating required instruction; college report cards or transcripts may substitute for those courses. Qualifying nonpublic supervision follows COMAR’s separate requirements.
- Teachers: No state teaching credential required for the parent providing home instruction.
Read the Maryland homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Maryland
Questions parents ask
- Can a homeschool parent get the Teacher's Library Card?
- Yes. Talbot County homeschool parents and guardians are named as eligible, alongside public and private school teachers and licensed child care providers.
- We live in another Maryland county. Can we get the Talbot Teacher's Library Card?
- No. The Teacher's card for homeschoolers is for parents who live in Talbot County, but any Maryland resident can get a free personal card.
- Is there a St. Michaels branch?
- Yes. The St. Michaels branch at 106 Fremont St. keeps the same hours as Easton, and you can reach it at 410-745-5877.
- What can't I borrow on the Teacher's card?
- DVDs, Playaway Launchpads, interlibrary loan materials, and new books and other 14-day items.
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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