Cook Memorial Public Library District

Homeschoolers’ Guide to
Cook Memorial Public Library District

To obtain a Homeschool Family library card, a homeschool family must reside in Cook Memorial Public Library (CMPL) District. A completed green registration card must be given and proof of residence shown to Circulation Department staff at Cook. (Each year by the end of summer the homeschool parent will be formally asked whether or not homeschooling is to continue.) A homeschool card may be revoked if a homeschool family abuses its privileges. Library materials intended for recreational, non-curricular purposes are to be checked out on the borrower’s personal card.

A Homeschool Family card grants all the privileges given to public and private schools/teachers. (Please see Teachers’ Guide to Cook Memorial Public Library)

The loan period for books, CDs, audiocassettes, audiobooks, PlayAways, and CD or audiocassette kits is 6 weeks. The loan period for videos and DVDs is 2 weeks; that for CD ROMs is 3 weeks. Due dates and number limits for holiday materials and magazines are the same for all patrons. (At time of checkout only, extended loan periods are available for non-holiday, non-popular titles in video, DVD, and CD-ROM formats. Popular materials, even if to be used for instruction, are limited to a one-week checkout because of heavy demand by all patrons. For example, feature films are to be checked out on one’s personal card for only one week. These materials may be renewed on the personal card if no one has placed holds on them.)

There are no renewals for materials checked out on the homeschool family card. No late fees will be incurred, with the expectation that library materials are to be returned promptly for the convenience of other patrons.

There is a limit of 5 concurrent interlibrary loan (ILL) requests per format per patron. It is the responsibility of the homeschool parent to keep track of how many library loan requests are in process. Due dates from loaning libraries are to be honored by all patrons. If a homeschool parent has not picked up interlibrary-loaned materials within 7 days, those materials may be returned to the lending library without additional notice.

Homeschool card numbers will be emailed or mailed to patrons as soon as possible after cards are created. Card numbers may be used to place holds on CMPL materials or requests for interlibrary loans, access CMPL subscription online databases, or see status of items on hold or checked out.

Cards will be kept at the Children’s Department reference desk. Checkout of homeschool family materials will be done there.

Homeschool parents with CMPL cards may request that Children’s Department librarians select available library materials for curricular use. These materials are put in tote bags for pickup at the Children’s reference desk of Cook Memorial Public Library or circulation desk of Evergreen Interim Library or Bookmobile. After use, these tote bags and other library materials are to be dropped off at the circulation desk of Cook Memorial Public Library, Evergreen Interim Library, or Bookmobile. Feedback about materials selected for homeschool loans may be given in person, by phone, or online.

Technology classes relating to use of the CMPL online catalog and the Internet are available. Patrons may inquire about these classes in person or by telephone with the Cook receptionist.

Updated 7/28/07