Classroom library?

Question

I teach English and my classroom library is.... nonexistent. I would LOVE to be able to just go out and buy all the books that I would like to keep on hand for the students for book reports, pleasure reading, sustained silent reading, etc. Unfortunately, that just isn't possible for me money wise and the county won't buy them for us. Can anyone suggest a good way that I could acquire books (or money to buy them with... ), short of posting a sign somewhere saying "give me books!" or putting myself into debt.

Thanks!

Answer 1

summer is coming...look for yard sales and church sales...very often libraries sell old books rather than  throw them out...reach out to your community...many people have tons of books they want to get rid of if you pick them up...

Answer 2

My teacher get donations from Familys.... I donate books to her and she has like 500 books (small school) just get the word out! Put it in a news letter or E-mail some parents!

Answer 3

your all class can to car wash that will help your buy the book that your needs.

Answer 4

I teach 4th grade and when I was looking to expand my classroom library I hit the local library.  Our local library has two major sales a year.  All the books are 50 cents a piece and they have a huge selection.  Good luck.

Answer 5

You can try posting your classroom on adoptaclassroom.org

Answer 6

Here are the ways I built my initial classroom library:

*book sales: libraries often hold 25 cent sales

*Scholastic book sales - kids get those order forms - you get points - use the points to purchase books.

*School funds - My school gives a couple hundred per teacher per year for supplies - I used some of it for books.

*paperbackbookswap - web site - you can trade books

*teacher retirements  - every so often a teacher retired, i mentioned that if they wanted to pass on the books they had, id use them.

*student trades - I offered to trade books with my students - if they saw one they wanted - they could bring me one in trade = did not do a net gain on books, just changed them from year to year

*school councils - In one of my early years - I made a proposal to the decision making council and was given an extra couple hundred dollars to buy some books.

good luck - interested in hearing other teachers success stories!

Answer 7

well you can find cheap books at boks sales and thrift stores, and it is best to go and get books when book sales arein their final hours because you can usuallyget them in bulk.

You can also look for cheap books at garage sales, and soon you will collect books from all over for really cheap prices :D

If all esle fails, you can put an ad up on craigslist asking for free children's books, and you might get someone willing to give some to you

good luck! ^___^

Answer 8

There are several places that you can do to get books either very inexpensive or for free. You can go to thrift stores. Personally, I like the larger chains, like Goodwill, just because they often have more books from which to choose. You can also go the Scholastic Warehouse sale that they have twice a year, typically in May and in December. I went last weekend and bought 22 books for $41 dollars. Plus, if you itemize, you can take these expenses off as personal business expenses. Talk to an accountant first.

You can also try Craigslist.com. It's like an online flea market.  You can search through the listings and find people who are either selling books or giving them away for free. You can also post an ad (for free) asking for donations of particular books or books below a certain price. Hope this helps and good luck!

Another good place is the public library. Check with various branches. During particular times in the year, they will have books sales where you can buy books ranging from .25 cents to 1 dollar.

Answer 9

Scholastic Book Orders!  Books are cheaper than in the store and for every book a student purchases, you receive points that can be used to purchase book!  It is the best way to boost a classroom library.  I was able to buy an entire class set of books!