Federal Funding for Libraries Supports Homeschooling Families

Homeschooling in the U.S. has risen significantly in recent years. According to a survey by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), almost 5.2% of 5-17 year-olds received home instruction during the 2022-2023 school year, up from the 3.7% reported during the 2018-2019 school year.

The reasons for homeschooling are unique to each family, but many report a desire to provide moral education, to focus on the family life, and/or are dissatisfied with the education provided by other schools. 

Regardless of the reason, libraries and museums offer invaluable resources for homeschooling families. From allowing homeschoolers to expand their check-out limit, to providing meeting spaces or developing educational programs, libraries and museums are finding innovative ways to meet the needs of these patrons. 

The recent Administration’s actions

Following an executive order, this administration has put all IMLS employees on administrative leave. IMLS is the largest source of federal funding to libraries. This disruption is already affecting the library budgets of some states, putting interlibrary loan, summer programs, and e-resources at risk. 

Yet, here are some projects the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has supported using federal funds that impact homeschooling families. 

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San Diego Public Library (SDPL) 

Using funds from a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, the SDPL developed a Homeschool Resource Center at its Mission Valley branch. The space provides technology tools, a gathering space, and homeschool programming. Students also have access to elearning programs, Chromebooks, and free museum and park passes through the library. SDPL built connections with local homeschool charter networks to get the word out. 

Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area 

Using funds from the American Rescue Plan, this Kansas museum created an educational application that digitized five tours of historic sites around Kansas and Missouri. The tours focused on Native American and African American historic sites, the First Kansas Colored Infantry, and the Underground Railroad. These digitized tours are a great resource for all educators teaching about the rich history of 

The Jackson Hole Children's Museum 

In 2020, the Jackson Hole Children’s Museum used an IMLS grant to expand its 5th-grade STEAM program. Their two-hour interactive program aligned with Wyoming State Science Standards and aimed to improve science and engineering literacy. Though primarily geared toward those in the Teton County school district, homeschooling groups were expected to be a key audience.