Creating the Ultimate Classroom Library

Creating a classroom library is more than just setting up a bookshelf in the corner of your classroom. It's about designing a cozy, inviting space where your students feel motivated to go read and hangout on their own! While having books available is a great start, a designated reading area with the right materials can transform the way students engage with reading. By making your library a space that students want to visit, you’re not just offering books and hoping your students pick them up—you’re creating a desirable choice in your classroom! Let’s dive into what to think about while you’re creating the ultimate classroom library!

Items to Have in Your Classroom Library

So what can we put in a classroom library to make it that ultimate enticing, fun space? Here is a list of some of the most essential items to achieve that goal:

 

Labels

Clear, easy-to-read labels for your shelves or bins help organize books by genre, reading level, or theme, making it easier for students to navigate the library, find their favorite books, and discover new ones! These printable Classroom Library Labels are perfect because they include clear visuals, helping primary grade students who are just learning reading skills understand and connect with the categories, making it easier for them to find what they're looking for!

Posters & Cutouts: 

Fun, colorful posters and cutouts that showcase book or reading quotes, fun imagery, or beloved characters can brighten up your reading space. These visuals help make the space more fun and feel more designated for reading!

Pillows & Rugs

Comfortable seating options like pillows and a rug can transform a classroom library. These cozy elements create a fun, inviting atmosphere—what student would choose sitting at a hard desk and chair when they could curl up with a pillow behind them?! Placing the books around this cozy nook makes it feel like a designated reading space and ensures that all the book options are easily accessible and ready to explore. If you have a couch, play tent, or bean bag to spare, these can be fun and enticing flexible seating options for the space as well! 

 

Mood Lighting

The right lighting can make all the difference in setting the mood for reading! Consider adding string lights or soft lamps to your library area to create a warm, calming environment. Proper lighting reduces distractions and helps students focus on their reading.

Inspiration Bulletin Board

A bulletin board somewhere in your classroom library with a quote that inspires reading or mini posters is a fabulous way to elevate your classroom library and a great way to keep the excitement for reading alive! These March is Reading Month Mini Posters and Tell Your Story Inspirational Classroom Headline are actually perfect year round in a classroom library!

Reading Buddies

Having a bin of stuffed animals or book characters, especially in the early primary grades, is a great tool to inspire reading and make the space more fun! Students love being able to pick out a buddy to read with and thai can help students build confidence as a beginning reader

Fun Accessories

Small simple accessories like fun bookmarks, stickers, and finger pointers (for visual tracking) can be great tools for encouraging students to read and leveling up the space! These accessories add a fun and interactive element to reading while reinforcing good reading habits.

To Wrap it All Up:

Building the best classroom library doesn’t just mean stocking up on books—it’s about creating an environment that fosters a love for reading, supports learning, and encourages students to dive into new stories by wanting to be in that space! By including essential items like labels, comfortable seating, mood lighting, and fun accessories, you’re creating a space where students feel inspired, engaged, and eager to read. By creating the ultimate classroom library, you’ll be setting the stage for a lifelong love of reading for your students, one page at a time!

Show us how you Schoolgirl Styled your ultimate classroom library by tagging #SchoolgirlStyled !

Also, stock your ultimate classroom library with fun reading themed resources from this 17 page reading resource packet!