Classroom Libraries Part 3: Next Steps, Updates, and Classroom Collaboration

In the previous posts, we discussed best practices for your classroom library and how to organize and manage your library so students are able to access it and take ownership of the collection. In this post, we'll discuss how to keep your classroom library fresh and up-to-date to ensure your students want to visit it frequently.  

Classroom libraries are a very personal collection that we build throughout our years in the classroom. Everyone has an emotional connection to a book, a series, a genre or a classic. And as we develop our collections, we make sure to add books we love into our classroom libraries. That’s the easy part, but adding new titles (especially those that aren’t our cup of tea) are hard to add. In this blog post, we'll discuss the importance of building well-rounded libraries that include multiple genres and considerations, regardless of our own love for them. We'll also discuss the importance of letting go and updating great books that have been well-loved.

Assuming you have an established collection, all collections need to be cultivated and revisited from time to time. I'd suggest looking at your library needs at least once a year. That means listening to students' interests. What might be missing that you could add, and what do you have that could go or be replaced?

When I first started my classroom library, I had an abundance of books from my childhood.  They were gently used, and a mix of fiction and non-fiction books. As I watched my students interact with the library, I noticed what they gravitated towards and what they didn’t. The dinosaur books that I loved 20 years prior were not as visually pleasing or easy to navigate. They loved the classics like Dr. Seuss because they were familiar books for them. They loved chapter books, whether they could read them or not. These simple observations made me more aware of what books I needed to include to meet their interests of today: a diverse collection of non-fiction books that were more visually pleasing and easier to navigate, and chapter book series. Students would also ask me if I had certain books and would realize I didn’t, so I would be diligent about adding books they wanted to read. I’ve worked with teachers who have an abundance of books, some great titles students would enjoy, but they were so old no one wanted to touch them. The success of the library lacked, and the opportunity for students to fall in love with a good book was non-existent. Here are a few ideas to help make sure your library stays current and is something students flock to and use. Otherwise, what’s the point?

Here are some questions we'll explore.

1. What shouldn’t you keep in your library?
2. How will you continuously build your library?
3. How do you introduce newly added books?  

What shouldn’t you keep in your library?   

Let’s face it, books have a shelf life. It’s just the fact of a book’s life. Once-loved books become a bit too loved, or a bit too outdated for the present day. They should be considered for repurposing. As a rule of thumb, if you think it looks gross, and you wouldn’t pick it up to read, neither will your kids. That means any dated book, books yellowing in color, or books in rough shape should be replaced or weeded out of your collection.  

What can you do with these books? Recycle them or repurpose them! If your kids aren’t going to read them, why would anyone else? I personally don’t understand why we would send home a gross book. Think about it: if a teacher sent home a gross book for your kid to keep, why would you? If you really can’t wrap your head around recycling it (and I get it, it’s a book), connect with your school librarian or public library and learn what they do when they have to weed books. Librarians everywhere have creative solutions for old books, like holiday wreaths or book sculptures, which is book art with folded pages to make an image. Super cool! Check it out! Another option is to do some research in your local community and find a book donation company like Bernie’s Book Bank who'll take gently used books and donate them.

How will you continuously build your library?    

If you're just starting out, or have a library already, it takes constant care and love, which means we need to provide students opportunities with the newest books. However, that can be expensive, and money doesn’t grow on trees. Here are a few tips I used to make sure my students had access to new books.  

• Ask parents for donations of gently used books.  
  • Families are always outgrowing their collections and looking for a way to reorganize their spaces but have someone who will continue to read the books.
• Contact your public library and see when they are having a book sale.
  • Public libraries have book sales several times throughout the year. It’s a great way to get books at a very low price.
• Check out Follett Book eFairs.  
  • This is a win-win for teachers and parents. It’s a fundraiser for your classroom with minimal effort. It’s all online. There’s no money to collect. For every order placed by parents, you'll receive 20% back in the form of a Titlewave® Promotional Credit*. Save them up and spend them on books for your classroom library.
• Get to know your students.  
  • I love getting to know my students and hearing about their interests. I bought truck books because I had students interested in truck books – not an interest of mine, or something I would've thought to have purchased – but it was important to them. Students typically bring to your attention what interests might be missing. I've heard teachers say, “I won’t buy Junie B. Jones books because the writing is poor.”  My goal was to get students interested in books and love reading. If Junie B. Jones was their entrance into that journey, and that leads them to other genres and books, to me it was worth it. They aren’t going to go to high school still reading Junie B. Jones.  

If you're struggling with what you should add, check out the #classroombookaday. You'll find plenty of great picture book suggestions to add. Otherwise, I like to follow Shannon McClintock Miller who provides so many resources for library suggestions on all genres and series.

How do you introduce newly added books?

I think it really depends on what book(s) you're adding.  

1. Books for all students 
   • I wrapped a box with wrapping paper, and when I got new books we would “unwrap” the box together and showcase the book(s).  Sometimes I read these books before adding them to the library so everyone gets exposure to the book. Or we took a quick picture walk or read the back of the book!  
2. Books for a specific student
   • Like my truck kid above, I shared it with them and gave them first dibs. They generally took care of promoting the book to their peers. If they don’t, you know there are watchful eyes out there taking in what others have.
3. Specific interests to a specific small group
   • I'd introduce the book to them during small group instruction.

There are tons of great ideas on the internet for displaying books, not just new books. You can follow Follett Content’s Pinterest board for ideas or do a quick search of your own.

Your classroom library is a living space that needs attention throughout the year. Don't be afraid to change it up and have the students help organize, find books to add, and create displays. Fostering a love of reading isn’t just a teacher’s responsibility. It takes the whole school, and that includes the students.

Classroom Libraries 3-Part Series

• Part 1: Organizing & Designing Your Classroom Library
• Part 2: Student Ownership: Managing Your Classroom Library

*Titlewave Promotional Credits are valid for two years from date issued. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: NICOLE STROUP

Regional Office of Education, Lake County IL

With over 10 years of experience in education, Nicole Stroup has been instrumental in supporting staff development, leading teachers, and developing curriculum for districts throughout Lake County. She has rich experience as both an instructional coach and ELA Content Facilitator. She has enhanced the professional learning experience of teachers throughout our area and brings both enthusiasm and a passion for instructional coaching and literacy to her new role. With a Master’s Degree in both Reading Instruction and Educational Leadership, she is committed to serving Lake County schools and districts as a support for English Language Arts curriculum, school improvement, and professional development. Nicole’s broad experience includes teaching at the elementary level as well as supporting school library media staff on library improvements. She emphasizes flexible learning environments, passion for content, and a desire to support the professional learning needs of Lake County educators. Nicole resides in Volo, IL with her husband and young daughter. In her leisure, Nicole enjoys golfing and supports her local girl’s gymnastics team as a coach.