How to Start a Library

Library Books on a Shelf

Libraries are great places where students, readers and writers sign up to take out books for free. Books usually need to be returned within 14 days. You can start a library almost anywhere you want, even in other countries. You can even start a library with a special interest in mind such as one at a museum or one at a church where a particular topic would be provided. No matter where you want to start a library or whether you have a particular topic in mind, it's possible to create a library with some hard work and determination.

Instructions

1. Ask for book donations. All libraries start out like this. If you are starting a library that will be catered to a specific group of people, ask for those book topics in donations. You will get some outdated material as well as some amazing donations. You could also have businesses donate bookshelves, tables and chairs in exchange for having a business name engraved right on the supplies donated.

2. Ask for monetary donations. Many local businesses and organizations would love to help you start a library. Find sponsors in your local community by holding an event to raise funds. Invite all of the local businesses to attend. Make it easy for businesses to donate to the library by having sections of the library available to sponsor: fiction, children's, non-fiction, as well as story time and book clubs. This will encourage a business to donate to a particular section based upon the image trying to be cultivated.

3. Organize your library once you have enough material. Figure out how you want it displayed and organized. You will need to buy organizers and shelves for your books. When you are first starting out, you should buy at office supply centers. It will be cheaper that way.

4. Create a catalog system so you can keep track of which books are where in the library. The Library of Congress and The Dewey Decimal cataloging systems are the best to use.

5. Take applications for new members so you have their name, address and phone number available. Create a membership system so that each member has a different membership number and card. Write that membership number on the book's cards. Keep it for your records in case they are late.

6. Create catalog cards for each book. The envelope will need to be attached to the book while the card can be taken out for your records. Stamp each with the date and the due date. Write the borrower's membership number on the card you keep.

7. Promote your library through newsletters, classified ads and postcards. Hold events at your library (book clubs, writing workshops and classes). Get each event printed in the local newspapers so the public will be aware of your events. This will get more people to your library.

8. Gain monetary gain for your operation, books, supplies, and more by setting up a yearly fee for members. This will help you pay for new computers, more books, special programs, and other items you need for your library.

Tips & Warnings

• Start using the Dewey Decimal System right away so you can catalog each book as it comes in.

• Don't start a business without a business plan. You'll need to have a good reason for starting a library when public libraries are available in most cities.

Resources

• LInks for Cataloging Like the Library of Congress
• How to Use the Dewey Decimal System
• Catalog Cards