Homeschool benefits and savings in Provo
Provo City Library runs free homeschool programs on Tuesday afternoons from September to April and lends Discovery Kits, STEM boxes, math manipulatives, Launchpads, and Yoto Players, plus homework databases such as World Book. A card is free for Provo and Orem residents, and other families pay $125 a year or $62.50 for six months.
Who qualifies
Lives in Provo or Orem
All Provo and Orem City residents can get a free card. Nonresidents pay $62.50 for six months or $125 for a year.
Brings ID and address proof
Fill out a library card application in person and bring a photo ID issued by a government, school, or employer, plus proof of address.
Adds children to your account
Children under 18 can get their own cards without an application when a parent with a Provo City Library card is present. Their cards attach to your account.
What the card gives you
The terms come from Provo City Library's Homeschool Resources and How to Get a Library Card pages.
- Homeschool STEAM Time, ages 5-12
- 4th Tuesdays, 2:00-2:45 p.m., drop-off
- Homeschool Hangout, ages 5-12
- 2nd Tuesdays, 2:00-2:45 p.m., with caregivers
- Tween and teen hangout, ages 9-18
- 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
- Discovery Kits, Builder Boxes, Tech Boxes
- Borrow with your card
- Loan period
- 3 weeks for most items
- Resident card
- Free, renewed every 2 years
You are responsible for everything checked out on your children's cards, including fines and damage, because their cards attach to your account.
How to get the card
- Before you go
Gather ID and address proof
Bring a photo ID and something showing your Provo or Orem address, or plan to pay the nonresident fee.
- At the library
Get cards
Apply in person at 550 N. University Ave. Your children can get cards on the spot while you are there.
- September to April
Join the programs
Drop in on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays for STEAM Time and the homeschool hangouts. Check the library calendar for each month's topic.
- Every 2 years
Renew your card
Renew at the Circulation Help Desk or by calling 801-852-6650 and choosing option 1.
What it includes
Included
- Homeschool STEAM Time and hangouts
- Discovery Kits, Builder Boxes, and Tech Boxes
- World Book, Gale, and NoveList databases
- Digital collections and program registration
Not included
- Free cards for families outside Provo and Orem
Good to know
Drop-off is allowed for ages 5 to 12
You can leave your child at Homeschool STEAM Time, a drop-off program for ages 5 to 12, with a new subject and STEAM challenge each month.
Who to contact about the card
Provo City Library staff answer questions about cards, homeschool programs, and borrowing kits.
801-852-6650 Homeschool Resources
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Utah
Give the local school board a one-time initial notification when withdrawing a child to homeschool or choosing not to enroll. A letter of intent may be used. No annual renewal is required; a notification or affidavit already submitted by May 7, 2025 need not be replaced.
Utah sets these rules:
- Subjects: Utah does not prescribe homeschool subjects, instructional hours, or curriculum materials.
- Testing: Utah does not require a statewide standardized test for homeschoolers.
- Records: Utah does not require routine attendance, portfolio, or progress-report submissions for home education.
- Teachers: No homeschool-parent license or credential is required.
Utah also has an education savings account that home-educated students can use.
- The Utah Fits All Scholarship pays up to $4,000 for home-based students ages 5-11 and up to $6,000 for ages 12-18 in 2026-27, for approved learning costs.
- TheHomeschoolingCompany is an approved vendor for it.
Read the Utah homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Utah
Questions parents ask
- We live in Lehi. Can we still use Provo City Library?
- Yes, with a paid card, which costs $125 for a year or $62.50 for six months.
- Can my children get their own cards?
- Yes. A child under 18 gets a card without an application when a parent with a card is present, and it is linked to the parent's account.
- Is there anything for teenagers?
- Yes. Homeschooled tweens and teens ages 9 to 18 meet on Tuesday afternoons in the Shaw Programming Room to play games and socialize, and the library also runs teen clubs for coding, Dungeons and Dragons, and Minecraft.
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. We are an approved Utah Fits All Scholarship vendor, so your Odyssey balance can pay for it.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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