About the HRC

Questions, Answers and other Helpful Information about the
Homeschool Resource Center (HRC)

In 2001 the Johnsburg Public Library received a $55,000 grant to establish a homeschool Resource Center which today is located in the library's former Study Room. Funding for this grant was provided by the Illinois State Library, a Division of the Office of Secretary of State, using federal LSTA funding.

With the HRC's materials you can 'try before you buy' a wide variety of curriculum materials including Sonlight, Alpha Omega, Rosetta Stone, Singapore Math or Five in a Row and see if they are right for your family's unique needs before you start spending a lot of money on things that may or may not work.

Q: What exactly is in the HRC?

• books and magazines about homeschooling
• curriculum materials for all grade levels and in many formats including book, video, and computer-based materials
• science equipment such as glassware, microscopes and telescopes and kits for learning about everything from DNA to optics
• math manipulatives
• educational board games, software and music
• catalogs from homeschool suppliers

If you want a detailed list of exactly what we have you can download one by following the directions here:
http://www.johnsburglibrary.org/hrc-catalog-listing.htm
All items in the library's online catalog have call numbers being preceded by "HRC."

Q: Who can use the HRC?
A: Anyone at all! You do not need to homeschool. We do require children be accompanied by an adult, however, because of the many small pieces and fragile items.

Q: May I check things out?
A. Anyone with a valid, full service, Illinois public library card may check out items. If you live out of state, you may purchase a Johnsburg Public Library card that is valid in Illinois only at the Johnsburg Library. Contact the library director for cost information.
We do remind you though that while book items may be returned to any IL library, they should be returned at least 2 weeks before they are due and that all non-book items need to be returned directly to the Johnsburg Library.
It is also very important that you understand you are responsible for all of the pieces of any item you check out. Please count everything before you leave and again before you return it.

Q: How long may I keep the items?
A: All items in the HRC can be checked out for 6 weeks. You may renew the items by phone for an additional 6 weeks as long as there are no holds on the item.

Q: How is the HRC collection arranged?
A: The materials are arranged according to the Dewey Decimal System. We cannot arrange books by grade level because too many materials are for multiple grade levels. Here is a quick guide:

Other Helpful Information

Children's Historical Fiction and Math Literature Lists
The library purchased a large number of Historical Fiction titles for children with grant funds. All of these books are shelved in the regular juvenile and young adult fiction collections. They have been marked with a green "Historical Fiction" label on the spine. Check the listing of Historical Fiction for Children (note: this item takes a while to load) for titles and time periods.

Also available is a listing of the Math Literature located in the library. Be sure to check out these wonderful resources!

Bulletin Board
There is a bulletin board in the HRC that anyone may post information about local homeschooling events or offers on. The Johnsburg Public Library in no way endorses or checks the information posted on the bulletin board, so please use the information on it with discretion.

Need Personal Assistance?
We have an educational consultant who is available for FREE one-on-one consultations at the library on Tuesday mornings from 10:00 a.m. - Noon. Although she is there most Tuesday mornings for drop ins, if you have a long drive and you have not already made an appointment with her please call the library at 815-344-0077 before you leave just to make sure she is available that day.