When planning your classroom set up, one major factor to consider is your classroom library organization. Classroom libraries can help students engage with books and get excited about reading. Keeping your classroom library organized and properly taken care of can prevent damage to your collection of books and make it easier for your students to take the initiative and read on their own. As a teacher, it can also save you the time and energy it takes to repeatedly clean and reorganize your library of books.

Do you want to set up a classroom library but unsure of where to begin? You're in the right place. This article will cover the benefits of a classroom library, how to set up your library, book storage options, and tips for keeping your class library organized and tidy throughout the school year.

Benefits of a Classroom Library

Having a collection of age-appropriate books in your classroom can provide your students with a wide range of benefits. Not only can it get students interested in learning and help them enjoy it more, but it can also help improve their learning and reading comprehension skills. Literacy skills are built over time beginning at a young age, and students build those skills the more that they read.

Making sure that your classroom library is properly stocked and organized can ensure that the books you offer are age-appropriate and of high interest to your students. You can also stock your classroom library with books that span across various curriculums throughout the school year. Having books that relate back to your lessons can make sure that the lesson sticks while keeping students engaged in the material. In addition, an organized library can promote the representation of different cultures while teaching students about them in a respectful and engaging manner.

Planning Your Classroom Library

Now that you have decided to add a classroom library to your space, the next step is to plan the layout of your library with the space that is available to you. Take a look at the area where you intend to put the library and figure out the dimensions of the space. Knowing the exact measurements of the space can help when you start shopping for furniture to make sure you pick pieces that will fit appropriately and not be too big.

Also, keep in mind the number of books you plan to put in your classroom library and the age group of your students. Make sure that the books you intend to add are appropriate for that age group, and then have a final count on the number of books. If it is a smaller collection, then you can get away with a smaller classroom library.

You can also map out your space once you know what your organization's goals are for the area. There should be a focus on accessibility for all of your students, the functionality of the classroom library within your room, along with the target aesthetic for your classroom as a whole. Try to set up a space that encourages students to partake in independent reading and proper book care and handling.

Types of Book Storage Solutions

Organizing your classroom library is not as straightforward as just buying a bookshelf and calling it good. There are a ton of different organizational methods that you can try out to find one that works for you, and you can have as much fun with it as you want. Get creative with the space, and use these ideas as inspiration for your own library.

The classroom library organization system that you eventually decide on can vary depending on a series of factors. These can include the square footage that you have to work with, the vision for how you want to set up the learning spaces in your classroom, the types of books you want to stock your library with, and much more. It can be a trial and error process until you find one that works the best for you, but do not be discouraged. Let your creativity run wild, and have fun with it!

Looking for some inspiration? Some organizational furniture and book storage solutions that you can use for your classroom library include bookshelves and bookcases, bins and baskets, or mobile book carts.

Bookshelves and Bookcases

One of the first classroom library organization ideas that may come to mind is the classic bookshelves and bookcases. And there is a reason for that, they are a classic found in every public library that you walk into. They can maximize your storage space while also displaying your books in a pleasing way.

When looking for a bookshelf or bookcase for your classroom library, a good tip is to look for ones that have adjustable shelves so that you can fit books of different sizes. You can also choose between open or closed shelves depending on your classroom needs. There are also bookcase options with various numbers of shelves, including 2 shelves, 3 shelves, and even 4 shelves to make your library easily accessible for whichever grade of students you will be working with.

Book Bins and Baskets

If you do not want to store your books loosely on the shelves of your bookcase, you can add an extra level of organization with a series of book bins and baskets. They can not only be a decorative addition to your classroom library, but they can create an organization system that is easy for your students to access and maintain on their own throughout the year.

With bins or baskets, you can organize your collection of books however you want, and you are not limited to just organizing them in alphabetical order. You can organize your books by genre, by reading level, or even by theme. You can make it appropriate for whatever grade level you are working with, and create an organization system that is easy for them to understand and maintain themselves throughout the school year. Bins are also portable and stackable, making them a great flexible storage option if you have a smaller classroom space.

Mobile Book Carts

If you are working with a smaller classroom space, or perhaps you want a more flexible and dynamic classroom setup, then a mobile book cart may be a good option for you. Carts are easy to navigate around the classroom and can create a more engaging learning experience for your students. They can be a great option for teachers who want to rotate books between different classrooms, or even create flexible reading spaces throughout their classroom instead of a specific library area.

If you are looking for some inspiration for some mobile book cart options for your classroom library, Stevens ID has a whole collection of different carts that come in all sorts of different sizes and colors. We also offer pre-built shipping options so you do not have to worry about building a ton of new furniture for your classroom library.

Tips for Organizing and Maintaining a Classroom Library

So you have your pile of books that you want to put in your classroom library. Now what? How do you go about organizing that pile into a system that makes sense for you and your students? And how are you expected to keep your library organized on top of your other responsibilities as a teacher? We understand that this can feel like an overwhelming responsibility to add to your plate that is already full, but try not to worry yourself too much. Here are a few classroom library organization ideas that you can try to make your library system easier to organize and maintain throughout the school year.

Organize Books by Category

One system of organizing your books that you can try involves sorting them by different categories. These categories can include genre, the reading level of the book, or even the themes discussed in the book.

If you are working with younger kids, you can go with a color-coded system where books are stored in colored bins that match the color sticker on the book’s cover. Try to pick a category system that is age-appropriate for your students and easy for them to understand, as this can also help you keep your library organized throughout the school year. Creating an easy-to-follow system encourages your students to participate in keeping the library organized and tidy by themselves.

Create a Catalog System

Another idea for organizing your classroom library is to create a catalog system for all of the books you have in your library. If you can, you could set up a tracking system for students checking out books that they want to read. It does not have to be a fancy setup with a computer or electronic catalog, it could be as simple as having students sign out their books on a clipboard that is kept near the library. This would allow you to be able to track where your books are, who has which books, and what types of books your students seem to prefer.

Rotate and Refresh Books

One way to help keep your students engaged with your classroom library and excited to read is to rotate the books that you keep in your library. Not only does this give students new books to read and prevent them from getting bored, but you can also have fun with your library setup.

You could do different books for different seasons, create a thematic book display, or create displays of some of your students’ favorite books. Rotating your books can also help you check your books for any damage and swap out damaged books so they can be repaired or replaced.

Enhance the Reading Experience

Creating a fun and comfortable reading environment can encourage your students to read more and actually get excited about the idea of reading. You can create cozy reading nooks with soft chairs and nice lighting to create a calm ambiance for your students. Once again, have fun with it! Add fun decorations that are themed based on the season or the current lesson unit.

Classroom Library FAQ

How can I maximize storage in a small classroom?

If you have a small classroom with not much space for a library, there are a few ways that you can maximize the space that you have available to you. For starters, do not forget about the vertical space that your classroom offers. Look for storage options that go up instead of out, such as taller cabinets or even floating cabinets that can go on your walls.

In addition, you can invest in mobile storage cabinets that are on wheels and allow you to move them around to wherever you need them. Another option could be multi-purpose furniture pieces that have additional storage.

How can I encourage students to help maintain classroom library organization?

Once your classroom library is set up, it can be tough to get students to keep it organized and not just toss books around. One idea that can promote more engagement with your library is to create student roles or jobs related to the library. These can include a librarian who organizes the books, or an assistant who goes through and checks the books for any damage.

What’s the benefit of using mobile book carts?

If you cannot set up a full library, a mobile book cart could be a great alternative. These setups are flexible, easy to move around to wherever you need them, and they can create a more dynamic classroom environment. Students would have the flexibility to read wherever they want, and it can make putting books away less of a hassle.