Display Ideas

Hello!

I hope you had a restful Thanksgiving vacation. I was happy to have my son and his new wife for a couple of days. We did not go shopping or do much of anything except enjoy each other’s company.

I don’t know if you do much in the way of display for your library. It is a good way to spotlight books that might not be normally used. I know that I have checked out books that were just placed on top of the shelf at my local public library, but if they had been in the stacks, I might not have discovered them.

I don’t want to put more on your plate then is necessary, but these ideas are rather simple, but can be powerful.

Idea 1: Set up a display that rotates around. Have each teacher choose 8 – 10 (or more) books from the school library that they enjoy or enjoyed reading as a child. Print out a sign with their picture on it that says something like “Mrs. Campbell’s Favorites”. Use a table or shelf to stand the books up. You are done. Leave these up for a couple of weeks, then change out for another teacher. When you are out of teachers, begin on the 8th graders. Now it is the cool thing to do. Remember that the books need to be from the school library so other children can check them out, too. Books from home do not belong in this display. This can last you for 8 – 10 weeks or more. If you are in a larger school, you can group the teachers into sections and have groups like “Books our 3rd and 4th grade teachers like” or “8th grade girls’ favorites”. You will come up with something that works. Also, once the display is going, all you need to do is to make a sign unless you have students that can help with that, too.

Idea 2: Many schools have something like ‘Student of the Week’. I encourage you to include the library in this. The student of the week can choose books that they like or books that support their hobbies or activities. Students can display the books for you, too. In fact, the student whose turn it is can be responsible for his or her own display. She or he can also bring display items to support their favorites. If a girl loves horses, she probably has some horse items that can be in display. A student who enjoys karate, can bring the clothing or belts, or even just photos of them participating. If you are worried about items ‘walking off’, then photos would be better.

Idea 3: Assign a small group of two or three students to find books on a particular subject. Students can either choose their subjects (with your approval) or you can have a list to choose from. Subject ideas might include: alphabet books, cookbooks, needlework, pets, books with red covers, adventure books, etc. You can find lists of topics online or even in your bulletin board books.

Idea 4: Pinterest has thousands of display ideas. The problem is choosing the ones you want.

Be sure to make it easy for YOU. In your other classroom displays, include books with everything you do. Just this simple thing is a subtle way to show the importance of books and reading.

Have a great week.

Audrey

Currently Reading
Secret Lives of the First Ladies (audio book) by Cormac O’Brien
The Complete Works of P. G. Wodehouse (I’m 31 % through on my Kindle)
The Thing About Luck by Cynthia Kadohata (Previewing for the library)
Never Say Die by Will Hobbs (Previewing for the library)
Clementine for Christmas (Previewing for the library)