Homeschool benefits and savings in Multnomah County
If you live or teach in Multnomah County Library’s service area, your homeschool educator card gives you six-week loans and renewals, up to 40 holds and no late fines. Independent home educators can keep this separate from their personal library card.
Who qualifies
Homeschools in the service area
Educators who live or teach in the library service area qualify, including families who homeschool.
Brings photo identification
Visit a library location with photo identification, or contact the library to ask about obtaining the card.
What you get
The library’s educator card page publishes these borrowing privileges.
- Loans
- Six-week periods
- Renewals
- Six-week periods
- Holds
- Up to 40
- Late returns
- No late fines
- Lost-item fees
- Up to 2 items cleared a year
How to get it
- Before applying
Confirm educator eligibility
The library includes homeschool educators among people who live or teach in its service area.
- At the branch
Bring photo identification
Request an educator card at a Multnomah County Library location, or contact the library for assistance.
- When borrowing
Use your educator privileges
Borrow materials for six weeks and place up to 40 holds.
- When more time is needed
Renew your materials
The educator card offers six-week renewal periods.
What it includes
Included
- Extended loans and renewals
- 40 holds
- No late fines
- Limited lost-item fee relief
- Homeschool curriculum previews
Who to contact
The liaison answers questions about library services for homeschool families.
learning@multcolib.org 971-500-1733
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Oregon
You must notify your local Education Service District (ESD) within 10 days of withdrawing from school, or of the school year's start if not withdrawing. You must notify the ESD if you leave your school district or stop homeschooling. After a move to a new ESD, notify the new ESD within 10 days.
Oregon sets these rules:
- Subjects: Oregon does not require specific subjects or a particular curriculum.
- Testing: Use an approved standardized test by August 15 after grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, subject to the initial 18-month testing grace period and disability-plan alternatives. Interscholastic participants meet annual testing or district-adopted alternative academic-evidence requirements, which may include an approved portfolio or work sample.
- Records: Keep test results and submit them to the Education Service District when requested. Retaining the ESD notification acknowledgment is also recommended.
- Teachers: Oregon does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.
Read the Oregon homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Oregon
Questions parents ask
- What should I bring to apply for a Multnomah County Library educator card?
- Photo identification. You can also contact the library for help getting the educator card.
- How long can we keep materials on a Multnomah County Library educator card?
- Six weeks, and each renewal adds another six weeks.
- What happens if we lose a book?
- The library clears charges for up to two lost items each year. It does not describe forgiveness beyond that.
- Can we preview homeschool curricula?
- Yes. The library owns secular homeschool curricula for educators to review before buying their own copies.
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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