Last year I wrote a blog post about creating a classroom environment where students can be immersed in literacy experiences. One of the elements I briefly touched on as a foundation of a literacy-rich environment were classroom libraries. Today I felt it would be helpful to expound on the topic of libraries by discussing classroom library organization tips.

Setting up a classroom library is always one of my favorite back-to-school activities. I enjoy planning, organizing, and setting up the library. As a literacy specialist, my goal is to create a library that is cozy, organized, and efficiently run. Most importantly, I want it to be a place where children want to read and browse for books. Here are some tips and ideas for creating a welcoming and well-run classroom library:

Choose A Location

Before you get into the nitty-gritty of classroom library organization, you must first decide where you want the library to be located in your classroom. I've found that a corner usually works best if you have space available.  The biggest decision you need to make is if the library is going to serve as a meeting area as well. That will determine how much space you need to have available for students to gather for read-alouds and instruction. Finally, check out classroom arrangement tools like Floorplanner or Classroom Architect if you want to experiment with the layout of your room.

Mark Your Books

I always wrote my last name on the inside front cover of my books to mark them, but I have noticed that most teachers at my school use personalized book stamps. You can order unique and personalized stamps on etsy! Based on the organizing system you choose, you should label your books so that students know where to return them. I like to place a small white sticker on the back of every book indicating the level, genre, topic, or author so that students easily know which the bin the book belongs in. There are also many applications (apps) available now to help you catalogue your books electronically if you chose to do it that way.

Organize Your Books

There are many different ways to organize books. Most teachers do it by genre, level, topic, or author. I use all of the above methods. The majority of my books are placed in leveled bins, but I also use genre bins, high-interest topic bins (such as books about animals), author bins (focusing on popular authors, such as Patricia Polacco), series bins (such as The Magic Tree House series), and bins for periodicals (newspapers and magazines). Leveling books can be a daunting task, but in the end I think it is well worth the time investment.

Arrange Your Books

There are many different types of baskets and bins available for arranging classroom libraries. I personally am drawn to using a rainbow of colored bins on my library shelves. The brightly-colored bins are very eye-catching and appealing to students. I put a label on every bin indicating the level, genre, topic, or author. I have free printable genre posters available for classroom libraries. They are a great classroom library organization resource!

Decorate Your Library Area

I like to have a big rug in my library area and plenty of seats, such as comfortable pillows, available. I use a wooden book display shelf where I feature the “Books of the Month.” My books of the month might be an author study, books on a topic pertinent to the month (such as October–Halloween books), or books on a topic that is being studied in a content area (such as science/the life cycle of a butterfly–butterfly books). I also love to have posters and anchor charts hanging in my library. Download my Literary Elements anchor chart for your classroom.

Develop A Checkout System

There are many different ways to run a classroom library: use a sign-out sheet; assign a student to be the "librarian" as a classroom job; the traditional method of having an envelope with an index card for every book (setting this up is time-consuming, but according to teachers that take the time, it is well worth it). I've always relied on the honor system for borrowing and returning books. At the end of every week I assign two students to clean and check the classroom library to ensure all the books are where they belong.

Model How To Handle Books

Set clear expectations for how students are to use the classroom library. Be sure to explain the rules for handling books and returning books to the proper bin. Model during read-alouds how to gently handle a book and use bookmarks instead of folding down page corners. Establish consequences for students who mistreat books (for example, replacing the book, cleaning pencil marks or smudges in books, cleaning the library for two weeks, or having a time period where he or she cannot borrow a book).

Hopefully my classroom library organization tips will give you some ideas on how to not only keep your books in great shape, but to make them more enticing to students. Remember that the more inviting your classroom library feels, the more use it will get!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: