How to Build a Classroom Library as a New Teacher

I vividly remember sitting in my 3rd grade teacher's classroom surrounded by books and becoming a reader. I would sit in a spinning red office chair and read for hours. I remember finishing The Night on the Titanic Magic Treehouse book in one day and feeling like I was a reader. It was that exact moment that I knew I would become a reading teacher and my classroom would be overflowing with books.

That dream continued as I sat through my language arts method course in college and learned that when students read more they become better readers (Allington). I then read Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp's book Game Changer and learned that when students have books at their fingertips they read even more. My third grade self was right. My classroom needed to be filled with books. 

When I entered my first ever classroom over the summer of 2018 I realized there weren't any books and I spent my summer begging, researching, and shopping in order to have a classroom library for my students. I made mistakes along the way and spent way too much money early on but I did end up with a classroom library that was loved by all of myself students, well most of them. I hope that the tips below help you to SAVE money and help you build a library for your students to enjoy and fall in love with reading. 

1. Ask

Yes, I know this sounds basic. But I did not do this my first year teaching. I was too intimidated to ask my building principal if there were funds for books. I was scared to ask my colleagues if they had books they'd be willing to part with. I thought it was my responsibility to fund my classroom library and I ended up spending way too much of my own money. It was not sustainable. It was frankly absurd. DO NOT BE LIKE ME. 

I want you to put on your power suit (metaphorically, of course) and send a few emails. Send an email to your principal and ask if they have room in their budget to help you start a classroom library. Send an email to your department head and explain your vision. Send an email to your building's academic coach telling them why you need book. Heck, send an email to the entire school asking if anyone has extra books. People want to help you but they need you to tell them what you need. 

Because I know sending emails is sointimidating especially as a new teacher I've drafted a couple example emails. Feel free to copy and paste them :) 

Dear ____(insert name)______________, 

I hope you are doing well today. I am so excited to join the __(school)__________ team. I wanted to reach out because research shows that when students read more they become better readers and writers. Research also shows that when students have access to books within their classroom they read even more. I am hoping to build a robust classroom library to help my students grow as readers and writers and cultivate a love of reading. I was wondering if there was a budget to help new teachers build a classroom library? 

Thank you in advance for your help. Again, I am so excited to join the (School) team!

(Insert Name) 

Dear (insert school) staff!

My name is ___(insert name)_____ and I am the new __(insert subject or grade)___ teacher at ___(insert school)_________. I am so excited to get to know each and every one of you and work along side you. I am currently working to build a classroom library for my students and wanted to reach out in case you had any books you'd be willing to donate. If so, reply to this email and I'd be happy to collect them from you. 

Thank you in advance for your help.

(Insert name) 

2. Half Price Books

Okay, if you have a Half Price Books near you this is for you! Just pick up the phone and call your local store. Tell them you're a teacher and wondering if they have any books they're willing to donate. They'll most likely say yes and you just go and pick up the books. 

Now, I'm going be honest some books won't be so great but you will also end up with tons of amazing books for free! 

I recommend calling towards the end or beginning of the month for the most books. 

Another reason I love Half Price Books is their clearance section. If you're willing to spend some money the clearance section of Half Price Books is remarkable. Every single book is $2 or $3 and if you have your teacher ID you can sign up for their teacher discount program! 

3.  Facebook Marketplace and Garage Sales

Remember, how I said people want to help you but they don't know how? Well, that rule applies here too. People in the community want to help schools and teachers. Find your local facebook marketplace and make a post that says you're a new teacher and looking for cheap or donated books. Trust me, people have books they want to get rid of. 

Next, you need to start attending garage sales. You'll find great books and in my experience when I mention I'm a teacher they always give me deeper discounts. It is amazing. 

4. Scholastic Dollars

A great way to earn free books for your classroom is through scholastic dollars. This is where you send book orders home and for every book your students purchase using your classroom code earns you free books! To sign up go to...

1. Go to Scholastic Book Clubs

2. In the upper right press "Create Account" 

3. Fill out the information. 

4. They will send book orders to your school. You will then send them out. I use this form and give students time to make a wish list. It has been very effective in growing my monthly order. 

5. Partner with Library 

If you want your students to have access to the newest books you have to  connect with your school library and local public library! I have had my local library come into my classroom and sign every student up for a library card, teach them how to use the digital library, and bring books to my room to make a display. It is amazing and it is free!

Just call your local library and say the following: 

"Hi! My name is  _______ and I am a teacher at _______. I wanted to talk with someone at partnering with my classroom to give my students access to books do you know who I should talk with?" 

That phone call will be a game changer. 

How do you grow your classroom library? I'd love to hear your tips!

Happy Reading!

-Emily

@the.savidge.teacher