3 MUST-HAVE TOOLS TO KEEP YOUR LIBRARY ORGANIZED
If you’re trying to keep your library or classroom shelves organized…you’re not the only one! You’ll like these easy tips and ideas for how to beautifully present your book collection, and make your life easier!
THESE TOOLS MIGHT HELP YOU KEEP A BIT OF YOUR SANITY….
I know we are all looking for ways to keep our libraries and classroom libraries organized! It’s a never ending process and nothing works perfectly. After trying many things over the years, I want to share my top 3 tools to keeping your library (and classroom and home libraries) organized!
Please note: The links you’ll find below are to Canadian retailers, because this is where I bought them from. If you live outside Canada, I am sure if you take a look at the link you’ll be able to find a similar product at a library supply company near you!
SHELF MARKERS
Shelf markers have been an evolution in my journey as a teacher-librarian. I didn’t use anything at first, and then moved to a wood version, and then to a vinyl version I love. What do I mean by shelf markers? Students use these while they are browsing for books to help keep the library as organized as possible…with very low expectations. IYKYK 😉
As they browse, students stick their marker in the spot of the book they take off the shelf to look at. If they decide to choose that book, they just put the shelf marker back in the bucket. If they don’t want that book, they look for the shelf marker and know exactly where to put the book back on the shelf. Once they’ve returned it to that spot, they take the shelf marker out and eventually slide it into a new spot to check out another book. The system isn’t perfect, but it really does help help keep the books in the proper places…especially with younger students.
At the beginning I used decorated paint sticks as shelf markers. They did the job, but eventually they start coming apart and get pretty gross. I bought these shelf markers a few year ago, and will use these for years. They are vinyl so they are easy to clean, they shouldn’t break, and they are nice and colourful.
BOOK ENDS & SECTION MARKERS
I have worked in 3 school libraries, and they all used different styles of “ends” to hold up the books and mark the sections. In my most recent library, I was so excited to find the best of both worlds…and they work!
These Clip-on Book Stops Section Markers keep your books up straight AND allow you to add section titles in the same space. You simply clip on the bottom and slide them back into place. They are very strong, and don’t slide around like some other ends do. They also have an option of cork bottoms to really stay in place, but I find the non-cork works well for me on wooden shelving. Cork might be a good option for metal shelving.
You have to buy the plastic covers separately, but I think they are worth the extra money because they keep the labels clean, and you can easily pop new paper labels behind the plastic whenever you want.
BINS
I love bins of all sizes and shapes! You most likely use some type of bins in your library or classroom, but bins on the bottom shelf have been a lifesaver for me. I use IKEA bins on the bottom of my non-fiction shelves to keep these books looking organized. They are also more accessible for young students….and I don’t have to sit down so low to put them in order. 😆
These particular bins are not sold at IKEA anymore, but I am sure you can find something similar that works for your space.
NOW YOU’RE READY!
These 3 tools were some of the best investments I made to keep my library organized….as possible. 😉 I am also on the search for more tools like this, so this list may grow in the future! If you have any suggestions, leave a comment below!
Good luck to you!
Jenn
