Educator Card
Sonoma County Library is excited to provide a student success initiative to remove barriers to library use and strengthen school-library partnerships: the Educator Card!
The primary goal of Educator Card accounts is to provide teachers with access to materials that support their students in the classroom. Through the Educator Card initiative, teachers at all levels may apply for a separate physical card that allows them to supplement school resources to help bridge achievement gaps. Teachers can have an Educator Card account in addition to a regular library account.
What is an Educator card?
Educator Cards are a special privilege granted to teachers and educators who work for institutions and facilities that educate or care for children in Sonoma County. Educator Cards are intended to benefit the students.
Educators may borrow up to 100 items at a time for classroom use for up to six weeks (42 days). Educators may use their Educator Card to place up to 50 items on hold. Certain formats are excluded (video games and streaming media) and some loan periods are not extended. Requests, renewals, and all other policies and restrictions apply. As a reminder, items for personal use should be checked out on personal library cards. The library recognizes that mistakes happen. We will forgive the loss or damage of up to four items per school year.
When items are checked out on an Educator Card, you get:
- Extended checkouts (6 weeks!)
- Up to 100 items
- Four lost items forgiven per school year
- Barrier Free Access to your library!
Who qualifies for an Educator card?
Educators who are employed by an educational institution in Sonoma County (religious, public and private schools, certified home-schools, licensed child-care providers, recreational leaders, student educators, etc.) may have Educator Card borrowing privileges. Educators whose primary residence is in Sonoma County but who teach in another county may also have a Sonoma County Library Educator Card.
Applying for An Educator card
Educators can apply for Educator Cards in person at any Sonoma County Library location. Applicants will need to present one of the following items as confirmation of eligibility:
- school ID badge
- copy of a contract or letter confirming employment
- paystub
- printout of online pay information
- proof of home school status
Expiration & Renewal
Educator Cards have been renewed through August 1, 2023.
Other Notes:
- Lake County Library, Mendocino County Library, and LINK+ materials follow regular loan periods and restrictions.
- Video games, some streaming media, and museum passes (Discover & Go) may not be checked out with the Educator Card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do I get with an Educator Card?
A: In order to remove barriers and provide teachers access to materials that support their students in the classroom, the Educator Card offers the following perks for items checked out on this card:
- Extended checkout periods (6 weeks)
- Extended number of items loaned (up to 100 items checked out)
There are also some restrictions, as follows:
- Annual renewal (each year on August 1st, educators must confirm they are still part of an educational institution)
- Video games, streaming media, and museum passes may not be checked out with these cards
Q: Who may apply for an Educator Card?
A: The Educator Card is intended to help all levels of educators to support their students’ education. Educators who are employed by an educational institution in Sonoma County (religious, public and private schools, certified home-schools, licensed child-care providers, recreational leaders, student educators, etc.) may have Educator Card borrowing privileges. Educators whose primary residence is in Sonoma County but who teach in another county may also have a Sonoma County Library Educator Card. If you can provide one of the required pieces of Educator identification (listed below), you are eligible for this card.
- school ID badge
- copy of a contract or letter confirming employment
- paystub
- printout of online pay information
- proof of home school status
Q: What can’t I check out with my Educator Card?
A: Since the Educator Card is intended to help educators support your students’ learning in the classroom, there are a few limitations on checkout of item types. The resources that may not be checked out with the Educator Card include:
- Video games
- Streaming media
- Museum passes (Discover & Go)
Q: Can I get an Educator Card in addition to my regular personal library card?
A: YES! The Educator Card is intended to help you support your students’ success in school, and should be used to check out materials for your classroom. Materials and resources for your own personal use should be checked out using your general library card.
Q: Why does the library need to know what grade level I teach?
A: We are tracking different kinds of educators to help us identify how well Sonoma County Library serves the needs of different groups of educators in our county.
Q: My student lost a book that I had checked out on my Educator Card account. What can I do?
A: Just like with a general library card, educators are responsible to pay replacement fees for lost items. However, since we understand the challenges of supplying materials to a class of students, replacement fees for up to four lost items per year will be forgiven. When you come in to your local library, let staff know that the item was lost, and we will mark it in your record. If the item is later found, send it on back to us!
