Classroom Library Part 2

So last time I blogged about a library app that I recently downloaded and it's still working fantastic. I've added several books to my collection since then but up until about a week ago, I still had no idea what I would do to organize them. Well with only a few weeks left before schools I finally think I have a good system.

I found these labels at http://ayearofmanyfirsts.blogspot.com/2012/07/library-book-bin-labels-free.html

They were exactly what I was looking for! They're free and she left a blank page so I created my own. It doesn't get much better than that!!

I started by organizing my books into categories and authors. There were a few authors that I had several books for so I pulled those out first. Then I decided on a few groups that I knew I would want. One of these groups was a series basket. I had a few series that were only a few books and I didn't want to waste an entire basket for only a few books so I combined them into a "Small Series" basket. This way the kids know it's a series but I don't have to waste the space. Then I used the Scholastic website to separate the books into genre. I ended up with realistic fiction, historical fiction, general fiction, comedy, mystery and suspense, and adventure. I probably had a few others but I don't remember.

Since these extra bins didn't have labels, I used her blank page to create my own. Click here for mine. You will have to change the font once you have opened them. I made them in Pages for Mac but converted them to a Word Document for sharing. The font is called MTF Jumpin' Jack EXT. It is not exactly what she used on her blog but I couldn't get that one to download so I picked something close.

Then I printed and laminated the labels and attached them with hot glue. (Yes the pictures are outside, I forgot to take pictures until they were already in my car. Whoops!)

The baskets are from Dollar Tree. I found blue and green ones in two sizes. It's hard to tell but the bottom basket is much longer.

Once I decided on my categories, I labeled them with sticker dots. On each of my labels, I put a coordinating sticker. Here is a close up of one of my categories. 

Tomorrow I am taking my library to school. I'm so excited! I will post pictures as I get it more organized in my room. 

Classroom Library

I just got a job as a fifth grade teacher and am excited to get the keys to my room soon. :) Until then I have been working on things at home to get ready for the school year. One thing I knew I would need no matter where I end up is a classroom library. 

I recently had several books given to me and will be getting more from family soon. (Yay for retired teachers in my family!) I have been searching the internet for ways to organize my library and have several ideas but haven't decided just yet what I will do. In my search, however, I did find a way to help me keep track of what I do have. Since almost all of the books were given to me, I honestly don't know half of the books that I have. 

The app is called BookBuddy. 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bookbuddy-pro-book-library/id395149950?mt=8

The app lets you scan the bar codes for any book that you own, some of the books will have to use the barcode in the front cover, and add them to your library. Most of my books were recognized by the app but many Scholastic books ordered from the catalogue don't have bar codes unfortunately. I was able to find most of them via the search online tool.  Or you can add books manually. Can you say class books?

Once the book has been scanned, you can rate it, add your class list so you know who has borrowed it, or you can add a tag. Tags can be anything you want; animals, humor, holidays, first day of school, you name it. Later when you're planning lessons, you can go to the app and search the title or tag you need for your lesson. 

As you add more books, they are then organized by title, author, category, rating, whatever you want. 

You can also see who has loaned out what, what series you have, or tags you've added. You can also create categories. Once I have decided how I want to organize my library I think I will make my baskets into categories and organize them on the app accordingly. 

Lastly there is a wish list. I am always finding books I would love in my classroom but unfortunately if I bought all of them when I saw them I would be broke in a matter of days. This is a good way to keep track of them for when I do have a little extra money or a few scholastic points. 

In case anyone is wondering, yet I bought BookBuddyPro. It was a little pricy, $4.99. Crazy for an app I know but being a first year teacher, my library will continue growing for quite some time and the free apps just won't cut it. I did do a lot of research before buying and this was the best option for what I was wanting it to do. 

If you use BookBuddy and know of anything I forgot or haven't found yet, please let me know!