What classroom library check out system do you all use? Suggestions?
Question: What classroom library check out system do you all use? Suggestions?
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Question: What classroom library check out system do you all use? Suggestions?
I have close pins with the kids names on it and they clip them to the bin they take books from. This way they know where they go back too and I can see what their reading.
I love that idea.
@Amy thanks I got it from a teacher in the states. ? ps get plastic pins wood ones break super easy
None. I say- please bring it back when finished. I’ve lost a few books over the years, but my hope is that the lost books were shared with others. 20 years, no system- all is good ?
Exactly what I was going to write!
I don’t have one either! They let me know if they are taking one home and I put my trust in them!
I haven’t had a system, but I’ve seen some posts with words like “a few of the books are checked out…” and I felt a sudden guilt that I should have a system of sorts?! Your response is comforting!
That’s my system too.
Has been my system also.
None, don’t even make them tell me what they’ve taken! I’m just thrilled my intervention kiddos want to read outside of class!
I use Book Retriever but sometimes it doesn’t work. I lose a lot but that’s just part of it. So long as the kids are excited about reading I’m happy. It is nice if I’m trying to find a book for a student to maybe know who has it. That’s how I use it. It is far from perfect but sometimes it helps locate a wanted book.
I tried to scan everything and use an app … it slowed the process way too much and was wasting reading time. It also slowed the process of me getting our new books on the shelves. So … I have a binder with pages where the kids write their name, title, date, and genre, but I never check it. I found it does help them feel more accountable for returns, but ultimately it is a relative free for all. ?
For new books, if a lot of kids want to read them, I have them put their name and the title on a slip of paper. These go into a bag with the book title on it. My class librarians draw and the slip goes into a small bin on my desk. These books have a “sort of due date” since so many want to read them. Once a week, I pull the slips and check in with the readers of these books. Works like a charm and keeps the books moving!
I use the old “I trust you will bring this back so others can enjoy this book too” system. And the odd time it fails and the book doesn’t come back but I’m completely fine with that. I want books to be easily and readily available. It’s better to lose a book than potentially lose a reader
That’s an awesome idea!
@Jordan thanks!
Love that!
@Tammy thank you!
I take a quick pic with my phone of the student holding the book they are borrowing. When they return it and show it to me, I delete the picture. Holds them accountable and most of my books come back?
Classroom organizer Booksource app. Free and easy! Kids’ eyes get so big when you scan the barcode on their books! If you use your gradebook to export an excel doc it takes two mins to input kids (if you teach multiple classes). I have a few kids who actually have the app on their phones and help me run the return when it’s getting overflowing!
I’ve been using this for four years now and love it!
I made a google form for checkout and it has worked great so far. I teach 130 kids and have close to 800 books so I don’t have much time for scanning to keeping track. I taught them how to do it and trust that most are. I always lose a few books every year but as Donalyn Miller says, “I would rather lose a book than a reader.”
What info did you include on the google form? Do they fill one out when they return the book? Looking for a system for my newly purchased classroom library.
The only thing I do is have them take the dustcover of any hardcover book, put a post-it note with their name on it and then hand that to me. Everything else they just grab (they are all stamped).
I do the sticky on the dust covers and students take a pic w IPad. The librarians delete the pic when the book is returned.
Book retriever, works great.
I have classroom librarians. They take care of it. We don’t check out all books because that is too much work. We have a bookcase for new and popular books. The librarian keeps a clipboard at their desk. The kids check it in and out through them. It’s the best system I have tried. I don’t do all books because I want them to read and have complete access. At the end of each quarter I ask everyone to go home and search for Classroom library books, just in case they forgot to bring it back!
The honor system. Very few lost. And if they are, someone is reading.
Booksource
I tried the BookSource app, but ended up using the honor system! Is a book didn’t return…it was in a home that needed it more! ?
Great way to advertise books also. Love it.