Use Of A library in the classroom

Posted by teacher on January 5, 2012

Unfortunately, the “powers that be” rarely hand out funds for creating a classroom library, or at least one of any size. So how do you get the books you need. I was in this situation as I taught in a small rural school system. But by the time I retired, I had over 3000 children’s books. Here are some suggestions for starting or growing your own classroom library.

* Buy them yourself. I know, teachers shouldn’t have to buy their own supplies. But, realistically, we all know we do. Buying books is certainly money well spent. The thing to do is find the best buy.

* Use paperback bookclubs with your students. They give bonus points for each dollar spent by your students. The points can be used to get books for your library.

* Talk to your librarian or whomever runs the school bookfair. See if you can leave a list of books that parents can voluntarily purchase as a donation to your classroom. This could be a school-wide project.

* Convince the parent organization in your school to raise money for classroom libraries.

* Ask relatives and friends with older children if they have books around their houses that their children have outgrown.

* Ask your public library about a loaner program. In my area, the local public libraries allow teachers to check out books for an extended period of time to use in their classrooms. The downside to this is that the teacher is responsible for any lost or damaged books.