Resources for Growing Your School Library

April is National School Library Month! We know that building and growing a school library is extremely challenging. This month’s resources aim to provide you with ideas and resources to grow and develop your school or classroom libraries.

Collecting Books and Building a Library Space at Your School

• Get inspired to build an amazing classroom or school library with this article from the blog Keep ‘Em Thinking.
• Trying to grow your classroom library and not sure what books to purchase? Seek advice from The Children’s Book Review who publish reviews and curated book lists among other great resources.
• Check out the Book Bundler where you can purchase quality used children’s books in bulk at great prices!
• Find inexpensive used books of all kinds here!

Resources For Classroom Libraries

• Check out these free classroom library tools like book bin/shelf cards, classroom posters, and more from Follett Learning.
• Make labeling your books easy with this reading level chart from Booksource.
• Check out classroom books to students right from your phone with this free Classroom Checkout App!

Resources For School-Wide Libraries

• Looking for a simple manual checkout system? Download this free template from Microsoft Office to make checkout a breeze!
• There are many excellent options for library management systems no matter the size your library! Check out these digital check-out systems ideas from Good Firms.

Digital Library Options

• Several free apps make it possible to access digital books through your local library instantly! All students, parents, or teachers need is a library card! Check out Hoopla Digital or Libby to learn more.
• EPIC also offers educators access to thousands of high-quality books for free in the classroom!
• Explore other free options for digital reading in this blog post from Differentiated Teaching!

Did You Know?

• The Student Learning and Partner Success team at Step Up for Students is hosting a Choice in Education Celebration for teachers in May with inspiring speakers, giveaways, and more! This FREE event is open to all SUFS school leaders and educators. Click here to register!
• Step Up for Students has a blog called reimaginED that examines and reports on how expanded education choice options are transforming K-12 education in Florida and the nation. The most recent article explores the law that was just passed expanding the scholarship program to law enforcement officers. Read the story here and be sure to subscribe! 

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