I started collecting books for my classroom when I was in college. I always envisioned my classroom housing a huge classroom library - providing a literature rich environment for my students. I knew that I wanted a full library with a great balance of fun, nonfiction books along with chapter books/novels. I didn't know what grade I would land, so I started collecting books for first-third graders, since those were the grades I really wanted to teach... and when I didn't land a job in the lower grades, it was ok, I used the resources below to collect the most popular chapter books! Most nonfiction books can be used in any classroom. All ages of children truly enjoy reading books about animals, natural disasters, and famous people/events in history.
Whenever I talk to a new teacher (friends, family, student teachers), I always give them these hints for finding books to build the ultimate classroom library. I cringe when I hear new teachers saying that they spent tons of money on books. There's no need to! Follow these tips, adapted from Really Good Stuff.
1. Garage Sales - My number one spot for purchasing books! Don't pass up this great opportunity!
Summer is the perfect time to scout out yard and garage sales to supplement your classroom library. Look for sales that advertise children’s items, as they frequently have children’s books on sale, as well. Teacher Brandi Forman swears by yard sales: “When I would ask about buying all of the books at yard sales people would always ask why. A lot of the time they just gave me the books or sold them to me very cheap when I said I was a teacher.”
2. Library Sales- Also an amazing resource! My local library has one big sale each Spring and I was able to purchase the most popular books for nickels and dimes.
Call your local library and find out when they are having their next book sale. Many libraries periodically sell off books in their collections to make room for new titles.
3. Scholastic Book Orders- A great resource, if you have bonus points from your kids ordering.
Scholastic Book Clubs give students and parents a chance to bring home new titles, but they also reward teachers with bonus points that can be used to purchase books for the classroom. Those monthly book order points add up quickly, so browse the fliers and pick out the titles that you think will benefit your students the most.
4. Thrift Stores and Goodwill- You'll find great books at these shops!
Most thrift stores get a ton of donated books. In fact, most get so many that they have a designated day of the week when books are on sale. Contact your local thrift store to see if they have sale days and if they offer teacher discounts.
5. Donations- I've received great donations over the years from class parents. Ask around to family members, too.
Teacher Reta Troxell suggests asking families for donations of books for the classroom library. “Lots of times parents will send in books from their personal libraries that they are willing to donate. I got my whole collection of Dr. Seuss books that way,” she explains. Make a request at the beginning of the school year and then throughout the year in monthly newsletters or on your class blog.
6. DonorsChoose.org- I've heard of teachers having great success with this!
DonorsChoose.org is a website that allows teachers to request items for their classroom. Donors then decide which projects they want to fund. Many teachers have had success in requesting books for their class libraries. Teacher Dawn Hart agrees, “I’ve gotten sets of books free from generous donors and it was truly a blessing!”
7. eBay- I purchased A LOT of nonfiction books from eBay. Great, great deals for starter libraries!
Search for books by the “lot”, “collection”, or “group” to find the most books for your buck. Watch out for shipping charges though, as books are heavy to ship.
8. Craigslist- Never tried it, but worth a shot!
Place a free “wanted ad” on your local Craigslist site to request classroom library books. Oftentimes, you will be able to find someone willing to donate books or sell them to you at a cheap price. As always, make sure you never meet or go to anyone’s home alone when picking up books.
9. First Book- Again, I've never tried it, but sounds great!
The mission of firstbook.org is to give students access to high-quality children’s book. To do this they offer teachers significant discounts on children’s literature for their classroom.
10. Other Teachers- Love this idea!
Consider switching library books mid-year with another grade-level teacher in your building or district. It is a free way to expose both classrooms of students to new book collections while alleviating some of the financial strain on the teachers.
11. Grants- I've applied for grants for book club books. Definitely worth it!
Some large corporations have educator grants that you can apply for. Submit an application for a grant requesting children’s books for your classroom.
12. Freecycle-Sounds awesome! Never tried it!
Freecycle is a collection of local groups that are based on the premise of giving away things that are no longer needed. Members can place “wanted” posts for the things they are looking for – in this case children’s books for the classroom library. It is free to join and you can find a ton of things for your classroom – for free!
Building a classroom library can be a lot of fun! Take advantage of these FREE and INEXPENSIVE opportunities around you.
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