10 Epic Classroom Library Ideas
If you’re looking for some new ideas for your classroom library then this post is for you! I’ll show you the best ideas from super creative teachers to create a library that is fun, inviting, cozy and gets the kids excited to read! Plus, I’ll show you some of my favorite finds to make a one of a kind library in your class.
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1 | Create a Focal Point in Your Library
IMAGE SOURCE | MISSCAMPBELLS_CREATORS
Madison, a second-grade teacher from Missouri created this amazing library for her students. The huge tapestry creates a focal point for the library and really makes the space, right?
You can steal this style be adding a huge tapestry to one wall in your library. There are tons of tapestries on Amazon that would look amazing in a classroom. Clear bins work great to separate the books by reading level or topic.
2 | Create a Cozy Reading Space
IMAGE SOURCE | MRSKELLOGGS.BUNCH
If you want to create a cozy spot that kids would love to read in take a cue from Kathy, aka Mrs. Kellogg, a fourth-grade teacher from Missouri and add string lights above a comfy sitting area.
Surround this area with tons of books and it would make the perfect spot to read. If you’re loving the huge map tapestry, you can find it here.
3 | Create a Bright Colorful Library
IMAGE SOURCE | TEACHINGANDUPLIFTING
This library is so bright, colorful and inviting students would love to hang out here. Montana, a fourth-grade teacher from Virginia, used white bookshelves that let the books really stand out.
If you want to re-create this look in your classroom library, you can start with these colorful pom bulletin borders and this white wood bulletin board paper to create a colorful backdrop.
4 | Create a Nature Themed Class Library
IMAGE SOURCE | THE_NATUREFOCUSED_TEACHER
Try bringing the outside in and create a mini nature retreat in your classroom library like Nicki, a first-grade teacher did. It’s all about the details like the tree stump table, the plants and flowers.
My favorite are these tree stump pillows that make the perfect spot to cozy up with a book. You can find the tree stump pillows here.
IMAGE SOURCE | THE_NATUREFOCUSED_TEACHER
Here’s another view of this magical reading area created by Nicki. Her nature theme flows through the classroom with her bulletin boards, chalkboards and all the fun accessories that she chose.
5 | Use Dollar Store Containers to Organize Books
IMAGE SOURCE | JUSTBEACHYINFIRST
Jaclyn, a first-grade teacher from Northern Cal, took a trip to the dollar store for this assortment of containers in pretty spring colors to go with her beach themed classroom.
She added cute labels and fun details like the good day sign and pineapple hand sanitizer to create this fun space.
6 | Add Drama with Paint
IMAGE SOURCE | TALESOFA2NDGRADETEACHER
I’m loving everything about this classroom library and book nook created by Kayla, a second-grade teacher from Las Vegas. She painted the rainbow on the wall herself. She sketched out the design on the wall first and then adjusted as she went with acrylic paint and a small paintbrush.
If you give it a try in your class remember boho rainbows don’t have to be perfect, the design is meant to be a little whimsical. You could create the book nook wall with small brush strokes in black paint.
The book nook sign was created with acrylic paint streaked downward in rainbow colors.
Hand Painted Rainbow with Lights in Class Library
IMAGE SOURCE | TALESOFA2NDGRADETEACHER
I couldn’t get enough of this amazing library so here’s another view. Adding string lights to her rainbow adds another fun touch to this library.
The world map rug in black and white matches perfectly with the black, white and rainbow color scheme she has going on.
7 | Use Color Coded Spine Labels to Organize Your Library
IMAGE SOURCE | MOLLY MALOY
Molly, a fifth-grade teacher from San Diego, created these rainbow-colored classroom spine labels. She wanted her students to learn how to find books in bookstores and public libraries as well as in her class.
She faces all books with their spines out so they don’t get lost in baskets and so kids can see the title of every book.
Her fiction books are organized in alphabetical order by author’s last name and information books are organized by subject with color coded icons to help the kids find the type of books they’re interested in.
If you want to try her organization system, you can check out her labels in her TPT store here.
8 | Create a March Madness Book Bracket
IMAGE SOURCE | KELCIESCLASSROOM
If you want to create a March madness book bracket in your class, you can run it just like the basketball tournament. The winner can be determined by class vote. The winner of each sweet 16 match up will go on to the elite 8 and then the final four and then of course the championship match.
Kelcie, a 3rd grade teacher from northern Alabama, matched fiction vs. nonfiction books for a fun twist on the game. This is a fun way to get the kids excited about reading. You can have them guess who’ll be the final winner at the start of the competition.
9 | Create the Perfect Spot to Curl up With a Book
IMAGE SOURCE | TEACHINGFROMTHEHEART
If you want to steal the style of Anna, a first-grade teacher from Iowa, first just add a simple bench to your library.
Then add tons of fun pillows to make this space the perfect spot to curl up with a book. She also added a pretty area rug to make the space feel extra homey.
10 | Incorporate Your Class Theme in Your Library
IMAGE SOURCE | MISSMONICAKEATING
If your classroom has a theme, then why not incorporate this theme in your classroom library too? That is what Monica did, a second-grade teacher from California. Her camping theme translates to her classroom library where kids are encouraged to “camp out with a good book.”
I also love how she created a book return cart that can be wheeled around the library. Plus, this is another example of dollar tree bins that look like a million bucks with pretty labels! Even more impressive, Monica is a first-year teacher that was able to build this library by asking the community for book donations.
If you want more classroom theme ideas, then you should check out this post -The Best Classroom Themes
My Favorite Classroom Library Finds
If you’re now inspired to create your own fun classroom library, check out some of my favorite finds below to do that.
CLASSROOM LIBRARY SUPPLIES | WHERE TO FIND
ONE | TEAL 6-PC BOOK BINS
TWO | GOOD BOOK TAPESTRY
THREE | TEAL ROLLING CART
FOUR | TREE STUMP PILLOW
FIVE | RELAX AND READ CLASSROOM PILLOW
SIX | METAL LIBRARY SIGN
SEVEN | BLUE BOOK TAPESTRY
EIGHT | 6-PC RAINBOW BOOK BINS
NINE | 6-PC PLASTIC STORAGE BINS
TEN | SO MANY BOOKS SO LITTLE TIME SIGN
ELEVEN | READING FOX PILLOW COVERS
TWELVE | CLASSROOM BOOK LABELS
So, now you’ve seen 10 new ideas to create an epic classroom library. I hope that this post has inspired you to try something new in your class this year! If you loved this post, feel free to give it a share on your favorite social and pin your favorite ideas to your Pinterest boards.
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