Effective Organization for the Classroom Library
Providing an Endless Resource for Learning through Classroom Books
Dec 29, 2008
When organizing your classroom library, consider your goals for its use. How you organize it will depend on the number of books you have. If you have many books, spanning many levels across many genres then you are fortunate teacher, but most teachers are somewhere in between. Having a proper system of organization in place is going to ensure that your library is used to the fullest extent.
Organizing Classroom Library Books into Bins
Bins come in many forms; you can use discarded cardboard boxes, dishpans from the dollar store or the more costly version, plastic storage containers. These bins should be labeled with book levels at a minimum and if you have an ample supply include bins for various genres and as well as authors for author studies. If you find you are lacking in supply but would still like the variety, organize the majority of your books by level then add a single bin each for nonfiction, poetry and any authors you have several books for. There are several useful resources for leveling your books. Most schools come equipped with a copy of Fountas & Pinnell’s leveled book list, which is a long trusted source for leveling. Additionally, Scholastic’s Book Wizard provides levels for many popular books.
Creating a Classroom Library Checkout System
Creating a system for checkout in your classroom library will be vital to keeping track of your student’s progress as well as those books you treasure. Start by creating a pocket chart with 25-35 numbered pockets depending on your incoming class size. For longevity purposes, create the larger version and then laminate. By assigning your students their own numbered pocket, usually coordinating with their place in the alphabet, they will have a place to put their checkout information. Add a pocket to the back of each book along with a library card with the title, author and level at the top.
When a student wants to check out a book, have them sign their name and add the date on the library card from the back of the book and place it in their numbered pocket in the chart. At any given time, you can go over to the pocket chart and see what your students are reading to ensure they are reading at proper level and that they are not holding onto a book for too long. This will also provide a method for tracking down missing books.
Additional Considerations for Classroom Library Organization
- Consider using contact paper to cover your paperbacks. This will ensure longevity for those precious and expensive books!
- Make several library cards for each book with title, author and book level for future replacement of those that get full over time from numerous checkouts. A great way to do this is to print up mailing labels. Create one list, print multiple copies, peel and stick! Be sure to save the document for future use.
- Mailing labels are a great way to print, peel and stick information such as levels and genre on the cover of books for your students reference prior to covering them with contact paper.
- Have a library return crate/box so students aren't randomly placing books back into your library.
- Make one of your classroom jobs a library assistant who can check books back in, organize and straighten your library on a daily basis.
The classroom library is the hub of your entire classroom. It provides your students with additional resources which extend their learning from lessons taught within the classroom. Once you have organized your library into various bins, established a consistent checkout practice as well as prepped your books for long-term use, you as the teacher will have an endless resource that empowers your students to continuously extend their learning for years to come.
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