The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling from the Library

I am a book lover. I am also homeschooling two miniature book lovers. We are a family with an affinity for books. Books fill our home; they are in every nook and cranny. Shelves are piled high with the written word. You’ll probably need to move a book (or three) before sitting on our couch.

And yet, we never seem to have enough. Thank goodness for our local library! Homeschooling would have been nearly impossible for us without borrowing books and the library perks we enjoy! For sure it has helped to sustain our homeschool. But what are the pros and cons of homeschooling solely from the library instead of investing in your own home library?

Cons of Homeschooling from the Library

Though I love the library, there are a few cons to depending solely on borrowing books for free from the library for our homeschool.

• Late fees! Is anyone else guilty of discovering a library book tucked away under a bed six months after it was due? Our family may have singlehandedly funded the new library wing. I’m not even kidding! We are notorious for being several weeks overdue nearly every time! 

• Travel time is a considerable con if you live an hour away from your nearest library, like we do. We tend to make a day of it since we have to plan the trip and gas money. 

• You have to return the books! Even if your kids love a title, they can't keep it.

• No marking in the library books. Librarians frown on writing in the margins and dog-earing pages. Bummer. You can't highlight favorite passages or circle vocabulary words.

• Waiting lists can mean you must wait even longer for a particularly popular or seasonal book. This can be annoying when you a have a particular book planned for a unit study.

• Some libraries are small and have limited selections on the topics your kids are interested in learning about. This means your unit study is limited to whatever your local library has on hand. Of course, your library may have interlibrary loan, but that can require more wait time.

Pros of Homeschooling from the Library

Borrowing from the library definitely has its pros, too.

• It's free…. unless you have challenges with lateness and the resulting library fines.

• You can peruse thousands of different book titles without having to buy a book that will never be read again. No clutter!

• Then again, because there are thousands of books, you’ll discover new gems or authors that you may have never thought to pick up in a bookstore or online. This may lead to more reading!

• If you don’t like a book, just take it back.

• When you love a book, you may check it out repeatedly!

• You can return from the library with a towering stack of books—such an exhilarating feeling. My kids have come home with over sixty books at one time.

In all, borrowing books from the library is a perfect supplement to your homeschool curriculum. Due to the cons I listed above, it can be frustrating to try to homeschool solely from the library unless you take a purely unschooling approach. If you want to follow a school plan, it's best to own at least the core of your homeschool curriculum. 

Perhaps buy the books that you know are going to be read again and again for your home library. And then make your weekly library trip to round out your kids' education with extras from the library—recreational reading, bonus rabbit trail exploration, and unit study add-ons.

About the Author

I'm Erin, an introverted homeschooling mom to two intense extroverted kids. We are child led with a heavy emphasis on read alouds, games, art, nature hikes, and hands-on everything! My kids just learn better when they can use their hands. You can find me at Nourishing My Scholar.

We traded the hustle and bustle of city life for the quiet that only farm life can provide. This creates a wonderful environment for our children, complete with chickens, goats, ducks, and cows. I'm a huge fan of Harry Potter and Gilmore Girls. When we're not homeschooling, you'll find me curled up with a cup of coffee and a good book or possibly enjoying a random dance party in the front yard to the newest Disney soundtrack.