New Teacher needs help building a classroom library!

[Meg]

Hello,
My name is Megan Dunlap and I am a soon to be new teacher!I became a teacher because I wanted to nurture a love of reading in the next generation. I will be teaching a first or second grade class very soon, which is wonderful! But, I don't have the amount of books I need to create a library that will meet the needs of my students. Research says that for every one child there should be 12 books in the classroom. Currently, I have 24 books. That means that I have enough books for two students. Obviously, this is not enough! So, if you have any children's books that you would like to donate to my classroom I would LOVE it. Every book counts! please send me an email if you would like more information.
Thank you so much and God bless,
Megan

[LauraW]

Let's see. By your count, I have enough books for about 200 students. I tried donating them to someone before I moved, but postage costs were too much (yes, even book rate) and the local schools didn't want them.

One way to build up your collection is to have the kids order books through Scholastic or a similar program. The teacher usually gets to order a couple of books as a bonus.

Good luck!

[Lisa]

You should check your area too, Megan. Many libraries will make donations to schools and many school districts have ways to donate books to them too.

Will you be teaching in the Irvine school district? I know someone whose two daughters attended their schools. They're in college and grad school now, but she's very active in the Irvine schools. I could ask her.

[Jenny]

Do you have a job yet? If so, have you seen the classroom? I've been a teacher for 13 years now and most (but certainly not all) schools have quite a few books in their classroom libraries when you start. You certainly don't have to furnish the classroom library on your own. Also, what type of area is it... the area will also play a role in how it will work best to get books.

Along with the suggestions given up above, here's what I would do:

First, if there isn't a classroom library, talk to the principal. There is usually some money to be found in some budget if the teacher is persuasive enough and shows why the money is needed to benefit children.

Second, talk to business partners that the school has. Often, they will donate books.

Third, watch book orders. Several times a year they have a deal where you can get 50 books for $50...you don't get to choose, they just send an assortment, but it's still a great deal.

Ask parents to donate books... either to buy them from book orders or to donate any books they have at home that they don't want anymore.

Check out the local thrift shops. Often you can get books in decent shape for 25-50 cents.

Also, check out the book sales at your library. I just bought a ton of hardcover poetry books for $1 each. I've been able to buy big books for 50cents, books and tapes for $1 and lots of paperbacks for 25cents.

And my other suggestion is this: It is ideal if you have the books in your library permanently. But if you don't have that many, especially when just starting out, it will be okay. Visit your school library and your public library. Check out books there and put them in their own special spot in your classroom...don't let them leave the classroom. I often have about 30 books checked out from the public library...on whatever we are studying, or from a favorite author, or from the same genre we are learning about. Those books absolutely don't leave the classroom...in fact they stay on a special shelf except when being read... but the kids love them. And each year it seems that one public library book gets lost and I have to pay for it. I make a big deal about how important it is to be responsible and that if I can't trust them then I won't check out more and I've never lost more than 2 in a year... I figure that means that in the course of a year I'm able to bring 200 or more books in from the library for the price of 1 book.

You'll love teaching. It's hard work, but it is the most wonderful job! Good luck.

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

I don't know if this might work, but I know that in Europe, some of the publishing houses have deals (sometimes even freebies) for books that have minor flaws (or, are considered to have minor flaws). You should therefore contact some of the big US and/or Canadian publishing houses (like Scholastic, but also, do not forget the smaller publishers, they might be more forthcoming, especially if they are trying to promote themselves). I also think that there is a buried thread in this group about children's publishers, so search that out to get some publishers you might consider contacting (through email, or by phone).

[Meg]

Thank you all for your suggestions! To answer your questions: No I am not hired yet! My program director ( I am in a masters/credentialing program) suggested that we build our classroom libraries before we even look for jobs. She said that our own classroom library will be a major selling point at job interviews. My fiancée is about to join the navy as an officer so I don't know exactly what area I will be in. I loved all of your suggestions and I am putting a list together for my associates to help them build their own classroom libraries.

[Meg]

Laura wrote: "Let's see. By your count, I have enough books for about 200 students. I tried donating them to someone before I moved, but postage costs were too much (yes, even book rate) and the local schools ..."

Laura,
I can't believe no one wants them! The new teachers I work with are desperate for books! I hope you find a good home for them soon! If you want to send any of them let me know!
Thank you for the comments!
Megan

[Faiz]

Megan wrote: "Hello,
My name is Megan Dunlap and I am a soon to be new teacher!I became a teacher because I wanted to nurture a love of reading in the next generation. I will be teaching a first or second grade..."

Hi Megan
If you are still interested I may have some I can donate.
Faiz

[Suzanne]

Hi Megan. I would be happy to donate a book to your collection too.