You might think organizing your high school classroom library isn’t a significant task, but today I want to convince you otherwise. If you have been following my blog for a while, you know I’m passionate about choice reading for high schoolers. Having a robust classroom library is a cornerstone of creating a strong culture of reading. It can be a lot of work to find the right books for your classroom library, but the time and effort you put into it will reflect in your strong classroom culture. Read on for ideas on how to organize your classroom library.
Label Your Books
Before you actually set up your classroom library, it’s a good idea to label your books. You can use stickers or a custom stamp for easy application. Another fun idea is to get a custom book embosser for a really cool look. (I use one of these in my personal library at home and I love it!)
Sort Your Books
The next thing you should decide on is a sorting system for your books. I’m a huge fan of sorting books by genre for a high school classroom library. It helps them get used to the system (which is adopted widely by public libraries) and it also helps them learn about genres. One of your main goals with a classroom library is to teach students how to self-select books that are a good fit for them. In order to find something they will actually read, they need to find books they like. We all have preferred genres. Helping your students find theirs will go a long way in creating a future reader.
If you decide to sort by genre (and I really think you should!), a good tip is to create a color-coded system and label your books. I really like these little dot stickers that make it easy to see which books fit each genre.
If you don’t want to sort by genre, you can sort by reading level, topic, theme, etc.
Label Your Library
I know it seems silly, but your students shouldn’t have to guess how to use your library. Having a clear, defined labeling system takes the guess work out of usage for your students.
I put together a sleek. streamlined label resource that comes with 12 genre labels, genre posters (with current Young Adult book recommendations), and matching posters for you to use in your own classroom library. I created this because I wanted something that was attractive and sophisticated enough for high schoolers. All you have to do is download, print, laminate (if you want!), and hang. Simple! Check it out in my shop here.
Create a Checkout System
When I started my classroom library, I was using a pencil and paper checkout system with no issues. I enlisted the students to help and it worked just fine for me. I eventually moved to a spreadsheet for ease of use.
Now, you can get apps that will scan your book into a digital system and help your students checkout that way. A few you might want to look into are Book Buddy, Book Source, or Book Wizard if that is something you might be interested in.
Whichever system you choose, make sure it works for you and that your students are helping in the process. Nothing helps students take ownership of a space than to be involved in it’s function. Since it is a high school classroom library, your students should be more than capable of pitching in.
A Note on Bins
Some people LOVE to use bins for their classroom libraries because it makes it look streamlined, but it also makes it easier to find books. Some just like to use a freeform strategy.
I really liked switching my bins up to hold different types of books, but also give it a “homey” feel. I love these bins because they’re sturdy, but I’ve also had a lot of luck at the dollar store and Target. Another tip is to choose something with material you might use in your home (like wicker) to create a more relaxed and cozy space.
Add Some Flair!
Now for the fun part. Add some exciting flair to your classroom library! Get all of your favorite Funko Pop characters out, put up some fun inspirational reading posters (or, you know, that Stranger Things poster you really like because it’s cool), or add some photos of you and people you love. This space is about creating classroom culture and encouraging readers. Make it fun!
Need Help Finding Books?
If you need help finding great YA titles for your classroom library, I’ve got you covered. Subscribe to my email list below and I’ll send you a free list of 100 of my favorite YA titles right to your inbox. The best part? I regularly send book recommendations in my weekly emails and I update the list once a year. Books are my jam and I LOVE to keep everyone up to date.
Do you have a great tip for organizing your classroom library? I’d love to hear about it! Sound off in the comments below or follow me on Instagram to join the conversation.
Happy teaching!
