Educator Card

Educator Resources

Check out our Educators webpage to see resources available for Educators, including eResources, class visits, and resources to help your students. Download and print a bilingual bookmark to hand out to educators in your community (PDF).

Engage in a Library to School Partnership with an 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 Mendocino County. Educator Cards are intended to benefit the students.

Educators may borrow up to 50 items at a time for classroom use for up to six weeks (42 days). Educators may use their Educator Card to place up to 30 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 50 items
• Four lost items forgiven per school year
• Barrier Free Access to your library!

Who Qualifies For An Educator Card? 

Educator Cards may be issued to any teacher or educator employed by educational institutions in Mendocino County (including but not limited to educational institutions that are public or private schools, religious schools, certified home schools, licensed childcare providers, recreational leaders, and student educators). Educator Cards are intended to benefit the students.

Applying For An Educator Card

Educators can apply for Educator Cards in person at any Mendocino County Library location.  Applicants will need to present photo ID as well as  one of the following items as confirmation of eligibility:

• school ID badge
• copy of a contract or letter confirming employment
• pay stub
• printout of online pay information
• proof of home school status

Expiration & Renewal

Educator Cards must be renewed and eligibility confirmed each year. Educator Cards expire 365 days from issuance; just bring in one of the items above to reconfirm for the next year.

Other Notes:

• Lake County Library, Sonoma County Library, and Interlibrary Loan materials may follow regular loan periods  and restrictions.
• Video games, streaming media from Hoopla and Kanopy, and museum passes (Discover & Go) may not be checked out with the Educator Card.