Classroom Library Facelift... or Full On Surgery!

Alright. All teachers have pet peeves. I have a couple, or a few, or maybe a lot! Haha. But each year I pick and choose one or two things to tweak to see if my peeves can become more of a perk.

One of those pet peeves was my library area.  Problems included how to organize (leveled?, genre?, none at all?), and (the big one) how kids put my organization back in order! Throughout the years, I've tried a variety of methods, but here is a picture of the latest method before the major library facelift (combo of baskets with major themes and then other books on shelves by genre/theme).

BEFORE picture

Last year, I even made a sign letting kids know how to use the book markers in the library and how I've pulled out my hair every year. It doesn't work.  

Let's start the FACELIFT!!!

I felt after this last year, I needed to change up my environment to feel fresh & new again. So what better time than now to just fix this library up. I knew it would be a tedious process, but I guess that's what summers are partially for! Teachers on a break completely??? Pishh!

Basically, I researched different organizational styles and decided to follow these directions: 

• Daily 5/CAFE article on Classroom Library Makeover - 7 Steps  
• or video explaining the process

Here's a sample of my library bin labels.

All baskets have same bin number on the back so that my librarian will know EXACTLY where to put the book back.

Note: While you're doing this, find a way to keep your stuff organized. I used a Google Drive Spreadsheet to organize the themes in alphabetical order. 

Eventually, I will have a student help me inventory the books on Drive (I started the spreadsheet below) and then make a copy for my librarian to be able to check books in and out on the Google spreadsheet rather than by paper copy, which is what I will use in the meantime. I'll have to teach my librarian to use the spreadsheet, organize data by bin #, book title, or check out person's name, etc. But this is for another day!

Ta da!!!

Here is my entire library area, redone! I bought a park bench and a bistro set to make it more homey. I LOVE how open and inviting/relaxing it feels. Or maybe it's just me feeling happy that this was finally done!!! Yes, I MADE & painted all those shelves! Close-up details of the library board are below.

My Library Tips board. There's something about it I don't love, but it has the necessary info...

The orange paper tells students how to use the library.

This is the directory sheet of all basket genres/topics/themes in alphabetical order and the bin location where students can find these books.

I found this awesome sticky note page awhile back and it's been on my board, but this time, I attached a bag underneath with post its that students can take and use.

This is my Daily 5 how to pick a good book (ipick) section. I attached the Five Finger Test poster to help students determine the last part, "Do I know most of the words?" There are also some Five Finger bookmarks that students can take if they need, as well as other bookmarks.

Reflections & Take-aways:

Did it take awhile? Yes!!!

Was it worth it? YES!!!

Would you use the type of organization even if you don't do Daily 5/CAFE? Yes!!!