Summertime is a great time to restock your classroom library and make sure your shelves are filled with books students actually want to read. At the end of each year, I go through my library and pull books students are no longer choosing. Helping students choose books that are a good fit for them is just as important.
When I packed up the classroom at my previous school, I left a lot of books because, let’s face it, moving books is not easy! I only packed a few boxes of books, so I definitely need to find some new books to restock my shelves.
Unfortunately, my funds for buying books are not as unlimited as my excitement for shopping for books! Here are a few places I look for high-interest, relevant books my students will want to read at prices I can afford!
Table of Contents
Library Book Sales
If you are looking to fill your shelves fast, this is the way to go. Libraries are constantly refreshing their shelves with new books and they sell the older books for a fraction of the original price. I don’t worry that the books are a few years old, as long as they are relevant and students still want to read them, I will purchase them for my classroom library.
I live near a big city, and our library system holds a HUGE summer book sale where they sell books they’ve pulled from their shelves. I’ve found some great books for my classroom library at these sales without spending a lot of money. The picture below shows my haul from one of the sales.
Goodwill
Throughout the year, I will occasionally stop by Goodwill stores and I can usually find one or two books for a reasonable price. But…did you know that Goodwill stores will sometimes hold events for teachers? It doesn’t happen often, but when they hold their educator events, you can get several bags of books for FREE! At the last Goodwill educator event I attended, they had an entire room full of books to choose from. You were given two grocery store paper bags, if you could fit them in the bags, you got the books at no charge – they weren’t that picky about fitting them in the bags. All I had to do was show my school ID to prove I was an educator and left with two free bags of books!
Garage Sales
My best friend cannot pass by a garage sale without stopping, so I learned early in my career that large family garage sales (or moving sales) can be great places to find books for less than a dollar! I usually look for sales that advertise children’s or young adult books since I’m more likely to find several books at one stop. Garage sales can also be a good place to pick up popular series or multiple books by the same author without spending much.
Donors Choose
Donors Choose is a great organization that helps connect people who want to help educators with educators that need supplies for their classroom. If you are looking into this option, be sure to check with your district to see if there are any restrictions or forms that need to be completed. Some districts in recent years have started restricting what you can ask for from Donors Choose, so check first.
Scholastic Warehouse Sales
Scholastic Books occasionally host warehouse clearance sales. You can get new books for 50% off and often find books as low as $2-3. I have purchased sets of books for book clubs for less than $20 per set. An easy way to keep refreshing our book club options. These events are held in person in some locations but you can also check their website for online purchasing.
Parent Club
Parents want to help the teachers in their child’s school get the supplies they need. Depending on how active your Parent club is, there is often a way to request funds from them for classroom supplies. Some years I’ve been able to submit a list of books for the parent club to purchase and other years they’ve denied the request because they are using the funds elsewhere. I recognize that not all schools have an active parent club, but if your school does, it never hurts to ask!
“Parents want to help the teachers in their child’s school get the supplies they need.”
Local Grants
This one admittedly takes a little more time and effort, but local organizations are a great way to find additional funds for your class. I know several teachers who have written and received grants for hundreds of dollars to purchase books. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce or small business organizations to see what grants they offer.
Ask Parents
Each year we have a Meet the Teacher night a few days before school starts. We are encouraged to have a list of supplies that parents can donate if they wish. Most teachers add items such as pens/pencils, Kleenex, etc.., but another teacher on my team suggested asking for books. To make it easier for parents, I placed the names of a few titles on sticky notes and laid them out for parents to take if they wanted. I don’t get many books this way, but it provides an opportunity for parents to support my class.
Restock Your Classroom Library Without Spending a Fortune
Building a classroom library doesn’t have to happen all at once. If you’re looking to restock your classroom library, start with the options available in your own community and add books a little at a time. Library sales, thrift stores, grants, and donations can all help you build a collection of books your students will actually want to read.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can teachers find inexpensive books for a classroom library?
Library book sales, thrift stores, garage sales, and used-book sales can be good places to find inexpensive books. When buying used books, I look for titles that are still relevant, in good condition, and likely to interest my students.
How often should I update my classroom library?
You don’t have to replace your classroom library every year. I like to periodically look at which books students are actually choosing and which ones have been sitting untouched. Removing books that are no longer being read can make room for titles that better reflect your current students’ interests.
How do I know which books to add to my classroom library?
Pay attention to what students are already reading and asking for. Student requests, popular genres, favorite authors, and gaps in your current collection can all help guide your choices. You can also help students choose books that fit their interests and use what you learn from those conversations when deciding what to add next.
