Homeschool benefits: Central Mississippi Regional Library System
The Central Mississippi Regional Library System gives homeschool families a separate Homeschool Card with teacher-card terms: four-week loans and late fines waived on materials used for teaching. Show your county's Certificate of Attendance at any of the system's 20 branches in Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties.
Who qualifies
Has a Certificate of Attendance
Present a current copy of the Certificate of Attendance issued by the Mississippi county where you live.
Lives in the service area
Library cards go to people who live, work, attend school, or own property in Rankin, Scott, Simpson, or Smith counties. Other families can pay $25 a year for a nonresident card.
Brings ID and proof of address
Bring a photo or government ID and one proof of current address, such as a utility bill or lease. The ID counts if it shows your current address.
What the card gives you
The terms come from the library system's card policy, which applies teacher-card rules to the Homeschool Card.
- Loan period
- 4 weeks
- Late fines on teaching materials
- Waived
- Card cost for residents
- Free
- Nonresident card
- $25 a year
- Renewal
- Yearly, with a new certificate
The waiver covers only materials used for teaching; the card cannot be used for personal checkouts, and fines on your personal card still have to be paid.
How to get the card
- Before you go
Get your certificate
Have a current copy of your county's Certificate of Attendance, your photo ID, and a proof of address.
- At the branch
Ask for a Homeschool Card
Visit any of the 20 CMRLS branches and apply for the Homeschool Card alongside your personal card.
- Each checkout
Return within four weeks
Items on the Homeschool Card are due in four weeks.
- Each year
Renew with a new certificate
Bring an updated Certificate of Attendance each year when the card is renewed.
What it includes
Included
- Books and materials for homeschool lessons
- Late fine waiver on teaching materials
Not included
- Personal checkouts
- Fines on your personal card
Good to know
No item limit is published
The card policy does not state an item limit for the Homeschool Card, so ask your branch when you sign up.
Who to contact about the card
The library system's headquarters in Brandon answers questions about library cards by phone or through its email form.
601-825-0100 Customer service email form
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Mississippi
You must file the annual Certificate of Enrollment with the local school attendance officer by August 15. A child enrolled in public school within the first 15 calendar days of the school year may transfer to a legitimate homeschool later and file then.
Mississippi sets these rules:
- Subjects: No state-prescribed curriculum, but the child must receive a legitimate home instruction program rather than one established to evade compulsory attendance.
- Testing: Mississippi does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: No mandated homeschool portfolio. MDE recommends keeping the enrollment certificate, work samples, assessment results, and a materials log.
- Teachers: No state degree or teaching-license requirement for homeschool parents.
Read the Mississippi homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Mississippi
Questions parents ask
- Can my children have their own Central Mississippi library cards?
- Yes. A parent or guardian completes the registration for anyone under 18 and takes responsibility for the account. The fine-free Acorn Card for patrons 18 and under allows 2 items at a time.
- We live just outside the four counties. Can we still borrow?
- Yes. Residents of a Mississippi county next to the service area can get a card. Otherwise, a nonresident card costs $25 a year, and every family member at the same address can have one.
- Can we use the Homeschool Card for our own reading?
- No.
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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