7 Steps to Set up your Classroom Library

How do you set up your classroom library?

Photo by Kelli Walker Olson

There’s a lot to think about! I mean it has to be inviting and aesthetically pleasing. Do you go with a theme, a color or just what goes? Then it has to be functional, systematic, and well just super organized. How do you source the books? What furnishing do you put in the space? Do you set it up in a corner, on the side of the room. How big can you have it?

With the help of our fabulous Facebook fans, I have organized the set up of your classroom library into seven systematic and easy to follow steps.

Step 1: Library Location

Decide on where your library will fit in your room.

7 Steps to Set up your Classroom Library

Photo from Diane Woodman LaCasse Diane has a beachy theme for her third grade classroom. She has used the corner of her room to set up her classroom library.

I like to set mine in a corner if I can. It makes it a quieter space for students. I try to ensure there is a power outlet close by for my CD player.

Photo by Jessica Eitzen

Jessica says she has limited room and makes use of the shelving to divide spaces effectively.

Step 2: Furnishings, seating and other ‘stuff”.

What furnishings do you already have and what do you need? Will you provide seating or will children sit on the floor? What other things could you add?

Add pillows, bath mats, mats or rugs, stools (IKEA ones are perfect), small tables, beanbags, carpet, crates with pillows, old buckets with round pillows, a lamp, material to drape, shelf to highlight books, space for a CD player or docking system, teddy bears, dolls and puppets and a mirror to read to.

Photo by Christina O’Connor Ciolino Christina says that she uses the shelf to display the weekly themed books. She says she switches out the themed books each week so there is something new.

I have seen teachers use a few fluffy bath mats in their classroom library. You know the ones with grip that stay in place.

Photo by Laura Erwin Coyne

Laura allows space for book buddies and props to read to and with.

Photo by Teaching Style UK

Step 3: Library Functions.

What will the library be used for and how will this impact where you place your furnishings, shelves, books and other stuff?

Will you use your library for Daily 5, reading groups, listening centers, buddy reading, interventions, small group work, pair reading or something else?

Photo by Teaching Style UK

Photo by Angelica Amador

Angelica says, “I use IKEA magazine boxes for organization. The bench was made with 2 crates and the extra shelf wrapped in fabric. The kids love to hang out here! So do I. “

Photo by Dorine Weaver- Jabai

Step 4: Sourcing Books.

What books do you already have? Can your school provide books or do you have to purchase them?

Finding second hand books at yard sales (offer to buy the whole lot for a discounted price) or thrift store can be much cheaper than buying them brand new. Sometimes library’s might have older, unwanted books at library sales. Can you ask parents to donate unused books?

Scholastic book fairs and book clubs have cheaper options for new books. You could also apply through Donor’s Choose for classroom books or furnishings.

Step Five: Class theme.

Do you have a classroom theme that can carry over to your library? Do you need to color-code book boxes?

Step 6: Organizing and categorizing.

How are you going to organize your books?

Photo by Sheri Engstrom

Sheri says, “I have over 3,000 books that I organize by series. Nonfiction ones are in crates mainly or sorted by people & animal labels!”

Sheri likes to use mobile carts for book series. She says, “Carts are helpful if you run out of room!”

Setting up your classroom library with a workable and practical system will help your students find, use and return their books. What system do you use? Do you label your shelves or book boxes alphabetically, numerically, by theme, fictional and non-fictional? Could you organize your books by series or level?

Using book labels to categorize different types of books for the younger grades will help them find and return books. It also teaches them that we can categorize books and these books teach us about different topics.