Classroom Library Organization

Literacy and Laughter is having a Classroom Library Linky Party! I gave my classroom library a HUGE makeover last summer so I am THRILLED to show it to you. I love having a classroom with bright colors so I did a lot of shopping around to find durable, affordable, colorful boxes in a variety of sizes. Most books in my library are located right in our classroom circle area. Each student has a book bin. These are lined up in the windowsill and numbered for student reference (I like using numbers instead of names so I don't have to change the labels on them each year.)

Label the bins AND the books for easy organization

The best part of my library is that I almost never have to touch any of the books. I wait a few weeks in the fall before I explain how the library is organized, and I only give permission to access a few boxes of books in the library. During this time, I do a lot of training on how to treat books, where to place books after reading them, all sorts of important stuff! I place a sticker on each book that matches the picture displayed on each box label (no words, just a picture) so students know exactly where to place the book when they are finished. This has been invaluable!

Leveled Readers and Seasonal Books

 All of my leveled books are kept on one shelf. This is also the shelf I use to display seasonal or themed books that relate to an area of instruction (apples, spring, planets, etc.) Some of these boxes are permanent on the shelf (such as leveled books and the very popular money and planets books). Seasonal book boxes are changed periodically throughout the year.

Favorite Authors

The adjoining shelf in my library area displays books by some of our favorite authors (Eric Carle, Kevin Henkes, David Shannon, and so many others). I like my students to realize that the authors of their favorite books are real people, so I include a photo of the author on the labels for the boxes and corresponding books.


The student reading area is located behind the leveled bookshelf. I use the bookshelf here to store boxes that are not in season at the moment. It's a perfect, out-of-the way storage area for these items.

Reading Area and Extra Storage

As you can see the quilt I use for reading matches the colors of the book bins. I love the rainbow quilt so much!

One more thing! Did you notice the duct tape on my carpet? I use it to assign seats during circle time. I have five colors in rainbow order (pink, orange, yellow, green, and teal). It coordinates perfectly with my brightly colored baskets and helps so much with classroom management during circle time.


I use these colors in my classroom and they look fantastic!