Homeschool benefits: Joplin Public Library
Joplin Public Library gives City of Joplin residents a free card that borrows books for three weeks with no late fines, plus interlibrary loan, exam proctoring, a Library of Things, and a Schooling at Home page of Missouri standards and homeschool resources. Families outside the city pay $50 a year for a household card.
Who qualifies
Lives in Joplin city limits
The library district matches the City of Joplin. Bring an ID and proof of address, such as a driver's license or a utility bill dated within the last 30 days.
Or owns property in Joplin
Property owners get a free card wherever they live, with the current property tax receipt and proof of address.
Or pays the non-resident fee
A $50 yearly fee covers everyone in your household for physical and digital materials. A three-month trial card costs $12.50.
Parent signs for a minor
Anyone under 18 needs a parent's or guardian's signature, and that adult must be present to get the card.
What the card gives you
The terms come from Joplin Public Library's card, FAQ, reference services, and Library of Things pages.
- Resident card
- Free
- Non-resident household card
- $50 a year
- Most items
- 3-week loan
- Holds at a time
- 20
- Library of Things items
- 3 for 1 week
- Overdue fines
- None
Interlibrary loan requests may involve a fee and still carry overdue fines, and exam proctoring is fee-based, so ask the Reference Desk for the cost first.
How to get the card
- Before you go
Check your address
Use the city's map at joplingis.org/joplinlocal to see whether your home is inside the library district.
- At the library
Get your cards
Visit 1901 East 20th Street with ID and proof of address. Sign for your child's card in person.
- As you teach
Use the Schooling at Home page
Find Missouri Learning Standards, Show-Me Standards, the MOCAP virtual school program, and local homeschool groups.
- For extra materials
Request interlibrary loan
Ask at the Reference Desk or through the catalog to borrow from other libraries.
- 28 days past due
Return before items count as lost
Items become lost 28 days after the due date, and you pay the cost plus a $7.50 administrative fee.
What it includes
Included
- Books, audiobooks, and DVDs
- Interlibrary loan
- Library of Things tools, games, and electronics
- Online databases
- Exam proctoring by appointment
Not included
- Exam proctoring fees
- Lost or damaged item charges
Good to know
Homeschooled children need nothing special
Library cards depend on where you live or own property, not on school enrollment. A parent or guardian signs the application in person.
No homeschool card is listed
The library lists no special card with longer loans. Most items check out for three weeks, and DVDs or items with a hold check out for one week.
Who to contact about the card
Library staff issue cards and handle interlibrary loan and exam proctoring appointments at the Reference Desk.
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Missouri
No annual homeschool registration required. If withdrawing from public school, a written notice requesting removal from its rolls documents the change.
Missouri sets these rules:
- Subjects: For students under 16, offer at least 1,000 hours of instruction: 600 in reading, language arts, math, social studies, science, or related courses, including 400 at the regular homeschool location. The statutory hours and recordkeeping rules do not apply at age 16 or older.
- Testing: Missouri does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: For students under 16, keep a subject and activity record, a work-sample portfolio, and progress evaluations, or equivalent written or credible evidence.
- Teachers: No state teaching-license or degree requirement for a homeschool instructor.
Read the Missouri homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Missouri
Questions parents ask
- Can my teen take an online course exam at the library?
- Yes. The library proctors exams for distance education students by appointment, and it charges a fee for the service.
- We live just outside Joplin. Is there a cheaper card for students?
- Only for children enrolled in schools within Joplin, who can get a $10 yearly student card. Otherwise the household card is $50 a year, or $12.50 for a three-month trial.
- What happens if we return books late?
- Nothing, as long as they come back. The library ended overdue fines on August 1, 2018, but charges for lost or damaged 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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