Filling your classroom library can be a daunting task! Especially for a poor college student who just graduated OR a teacher moving grade levels. So, I thought I would compile some ways that you can get books for your classroom with little to no cost to you!
Retiring Teachers – Find a teacher who is retiring OR moving grade levels who is wanting to get rid of their books. I was able to find a retiring first grade teacher when I assumed my 4th grade position, and even though many of her books didn’t fit my classroom reading level, I was still able to stock up on SO many picture books that made for great read alouds and mentor texts.
Amazon Wish List – Every single year I make a Classroom Wish List and put it on Facebook to share with my friends and family. This is a great way to collect new books and some of those basic teacher supplies that you know you’ll need. (I know some schools don’t allow teachers to make Amazon Wish Lists, so make sure you check with your school first.) Here’s my Amazon Chapter Book List and my Picture Book List.
Scholastic Points – If you’re planning on sending out the Scholastic Magazine for students to potentially buy books each month, then this is a great way to get FREE books for your class. Every time someone orders a book using your classroom code you get points to use on books for your classroom library.
Donations – I did this my first two years of teaching. At the end of the year I would put a little blurb in my class newsletter telling parents if there were books that their children had outgrown at home, I would gladly take them for my classroom library. I got TONS of books this way! I did have to weed through them, but overall this was so easy and effective. Especially because those books probably would have ended up in a thrift store eventually.
Garage Sales – If you like to hunt for a bargain, then garage sale book shopping is for you! Many times you’ll even be able to talk the price down if you tell them you’re a teacher. 😉
Thrift Stores – I’ve been able to find SO many books that are still in great condition from Goodwill or Salvation Army. I usually stop at my local thrift store a few times throughout the school year and I can always find a popular read that my students would love.
Library – Use your librarian to help you out! First, see if he/she is getting rid of any books that you could take off their hands. Second, check out books on the subjects that you are teaching. For example, I would always check out historical fiction books or non-fiction text during our novel studies on those topics because I did not have many books on those topics in my own classroom library.
Donors Choose – I’ve never personally used Donors Choose, but I know many teachers who have made a list of books they need for their classroom and had their proposal fully funded.
All of my library labels are from Ladybug’s Teacher Files.
