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Tips for Building a Classroom Library
By David R. Schleper
[ Originally published in Perspectives v. 9 no. 4 ]
The heart of any whole language classroom is a library full of
books. Lots
and lots of books. But buying books to stock the shelves of a classroom
library can be costly. If you are short on cash, here are a few
creative alternatives to help you fill your classroom with books.
- Seek Community Donations.
Many people purchase books, read them once, then leave them sitting
on
shelves. Given assurance that their books would be put to good
use, they
might be happy to donate them to your class library. Send notices
home with
your students, publicize your needs in local newspapers. As an
added incentive mention the fact that the value of donated books
is tax deductible.
- Join Book Clubs.
Monthly book clubs are, a great source of inexpensive books, many
for a dollar or less. While most book clubs for young
readers are geared to specific grade levels I have found that student
interest levels are a
more accurate indicator of which club to join. Many
clubs offer incentives: three or four free books with
the first order. Best of all, each book you order earns
bonus points that can be used to "buy" additional
free books.
For example, a book we wanted for our library was offered at $1.95
per copy. We purchased five copies, earning 10 bonus points
which paid for an additional
copy. Several years ago, teachers and students at MSSD ordered
1213 books from five different clubs. and received 698 free
books to place in classroom libraries.
- Borrow from the School Library.
Most school libraries stock a diversity of materials at a wide
range of reading
levels. Arrange with the school librarian to borrow a group
of books that can
be kept in your classroom for a given period of time. After
your students have
gone through the first set of books, you can return them
for a new batch, keeping the classroom selection varied and current.
- Involve the Parent/Teacher Association.
Enlist your school's PTA to organize a community drive for funds
or books.
Parents and family members are usually enthusiastic about
helping provide
books for their students to read.
- Call on the Deaf Community.
Deaf people know the importance of reading for a good education,
and can
offer valuable support for building a class library. Contact
local, state, and
national associations of the Deaf and ask for their help.
- Contact Local Service Organizations.
Rotarians, Jaycees, Sertoma, Lions, and other service organizations
can be a
good source of help. Local chapters of service clubs are
listed in the telephone book. Set up meetings with the people
in charge of donations. Few people question the value of
books in the classroom so you'll probably find willing benefactors.
- Hold a School-Wide Book Fair.
Publishing companies are usually happy to display their wares in
a school setting, and you can use the proceeds of the
book fair to buy new books. Some school book clubs will help you
organize a book fair and let you take the profits in free books,
cash, or bonus points.
- Ask for Discounts.
When you purchase hooks for your class library, be sure to ask
about educational discounts. Most bookstores and publishing
companies will grant discounts of 10 to 20 percent for school purchases.
They don't usually offer the discount--you have to ask.
- Visit Used Bookstores and Book Sales.
In many cities, the Goodwill organization and other service groups sponsor
annual used book sales where paperbacks for children and young adults may
be available--and cheap. Get acquainted with the managers of local used
bookstores. They might be able to keep an eye open for specific titles,
even multiple copies of books you need, at secondhand prices.
- Exchange Books with Other Classrooms.
Halfway through the school year, swap classroom libraries with another
teacher
in your school. This is a quick way to expand, even double the number
of titles
available to your student readers.
- Review Budget Priorities.
In the past. most classroom budgets were earmarked for purchase of
workbooks and basal readers. But schools that focus on real literature
don't need to spend hundreds of dollars each year replacing old workbooks
or updating the reading series. This frees up money that can be spent
on classroom libraries--books that students will read freely and
enthusiastically.
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