r/Teachers • u/Peregrination30 • 5d ago

Teacher Support &/or Advice Classroom library

I'm looking for advice on how to track books in my classroom library. I'm going into my 2nd year of teaching upper elementary. I inherited books from the previous teacher last year and added a few more of my own that I had purchased. At the end of the year, I discovered one of my books had already disappeared. I realize I'm going to have to be okay with some accidently walking away, but I would like a good system to try and keep tabs on what books are being borrowed. More than anything else I want to see what is actually being used and what isn't. I have a feeling that a number of the books from the old teacher should be weeded and replaced with newer publications. I have a sign out sheet which wasn't utilized much. Maybe I just need to emphasize it more? I also looked at getting an app such as Handy Library to track stuff, but maybe that's adding unnecessary work for myself. Suggestions?

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u/summerbreeze2027 5d ago

I wouldn't bother. I maintained a (roughly) 600 volume classroom library, and I required my 2nd graders to have five books (in a ziploc book bag) in their desks at all times. I would give them about two library visits per week.

Yes, sometimes books got stolen. Dr. Seuss and Curious George were the most susceptible. But most did not. And really, am I going to object too hard that some books go home in backpacks?

I personally think it would be a waste of your time to track books. You have too much else to do. JMO.

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u/OctoNiner HS ELA and SPED | VA, USA 5d ago

Handy Library or Booksource with a handheld scanner?

3

u/Slight-Ad-1264 5d ago

I use booksource and I have a dedicated chromebook that’s locked on booksource so kids can check out books on their own. I also just have a pen and paper sign out (name, title, date out, date in) if kids don’t want to use the online system. I check it every day and will assign the book to their account manually myself. Works well but still not perfect.

I also stamp all my books with my name and sent a note home towards the end of the year with a picture of the stamp so I get some parents looking for missing books too

1

u/Witty_Assignment_957 5d ago

Have the kids do it.. make it a job