How to Create a Classroom Library
In most schools, students and teachers have access to the building library. However, there are tremendous advantages for the teacher who creates a classroom library. Students have immediate access to reading material so that instead of having to wait until library day, books can be checked out at any time. And for teachers who establish free reading periods or reading time for students who finish their work earlier than their classmates, a large selection of reading materials readily available is a definite plus.
Instructions
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1
Determine what your needs are for your particular classroom library. You will probably want to include books on a variety of reading levels so that you will have high interest material available for slower readers; at the same time you will want to have a supply of books which will challenge your advanced readers. To appeal to a variety of interests, consider including the following fiction categories: adventure stories, mysteries, science fiction, animal stories, historical fiction and others that interest your students. You also might want to find non-fiction books on subjects like computers, entertainers, pets, and sports, for example.
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2
Make a comprehensive list of the categories of books you would like (from Step 1), and add specific titles as you wish. Think about books that your students have especially enjoyed reading in past years. Add such items to the list as age-appropriate magazines and graphic novels (comic books).
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3
Copy your list and distribute to parents, explaining that you are attempting to create a classroom library. Ask parents if they might consider asking around to see if friends or relatives might have books such as the ones on the list lurking in their basements or attics. You might also ask that they keep their eyes open when out stopping at garage sales. Parents might also want to plan a fundraiser to assist with your library project or might consider buying a book or two as a holiday gift to the classroom.
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4
Keep your list with you at all times. You never know when you might find an opportunity to pick up a few books. You might check out thrift stores and flea markets where you can often find special sale days where children’s books are sold amazingly inexpensively. At the end of their events, libraries that hold book sales will often donate books that didn’t sell, especially to schools. Mentioning your quest at a cocktail party might just send guests home determined to dig out a few books from their childhood to send your way.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider joining a few book-buying clubs with a minimal purchase requirement
