Building a Classroom Library on a Teacher's Budget

Few things matter more in an early childhood classroom than books. Children who are read to often and who have books within reach build vocabulary, background knowledge and a love of stories that carries them into reading. But children's books add up fast, and most new teachers start with a nearly empty shelf.

Here is how to build a rich, well-rounded classroom library without spending a fortune — and how to set up a reading space children will choose again and again.

How many books do you need?

More than you'd guess — but you don't need them all on day one. A good goal for a preschool classroom is enough books to keep a rotating selection of 30 to 50 titles on display, with more stored away to swap in with your themes. Start with what you can and grow the collection over a few years.

What to look for in a strong collection

Aim for variety. A balanced library includes:

Picture book stories with strong read-aloud language.
Nonfiction about animals, vehicles, bodies, weather, jobs and the natural world. Many children who don't gravitate to stories will pore over a truck or bug book.
Rhyming and predictable books that children can "read" along with after a few readings.
Concept books — colors, shapes, counting, opposites, the alphabet.
Books about feelings and friendship to support social-emotional learning.
Books that reflect your children — their families, languages, cultures, abilities and communities — and books that show them people and places beyond their own experience.
Wordless books that invite children to tell the story.
Board books for younger children or for children who are still learning to handle books gently.
Class-made books — more on those below.

Where to find books cheaply

Library book sales

Public libraries regularly sell withdrawn and donated books, often for a quarter or less. Ask your library when their sales happen and whether they have a teacher day.

Thrift stores and yard sales

Children's books show up constantly at thrift stores. Look for sturdy hardcovers and board books. Wipe covers down with a disinfecting wipe before they go on your shelves.

Book orders

Classroom book clubs let families order inexpensive books, and every order typically earns bonus points you can use for free books for the classroom.

Ask families

Many families have boxes of outgrown books. A friendly note in your welcome letter — "We'd love gently used picture books!" — often brings in dozens.

Donation programs and grants

Look into local literacy nonprofits, community foundations, and classroom funding sites. Many local businesses and civic groups are also happy to sponsor a classroom book drive.

Your public library card

Don't overlook borrowing. Many libraries offer teacher cards with higher checkout limits and longer loan periods. Borrowed books are perfect for themes you only teach once a year.

Wish lists

Create an online classroom wish list and share it with families and your community. Keep it short, specific and linked to what you're teaching.

Class-made books: free and beloved

Some of the most-read books in any preschool are the ones the children made themselves. Ideas:

"Our Class" photo book: a page for each child with their photo and a sentence they dictated.
Pattern books: "Brown bear, brown bear…" style books using the children's names.
Field trip books: photos from a trip with children's descriptions.
Theme books: "At the Sports Stadium, I see…" with a drawing from each child.

Put pages in plastic sheet protectors in a binder, or laminate and bind them. Children will read these to each other all year.

Setting up the reading corner

A book corner should feel like the coziest spot in the room.

Location: a quiet corner, away from blocks and dramatic play.
Seating: a rug, floor cushions, a child-size couch or beanbag.
Display books face-out. Children choose books by their covers. Rain gutters mounted low on the wall make an inexpensive front-facing display.
Use labeled bins for sorting by topic — animals, vehicles, feelings, seasonal — with a picture label on each bin.
Add lighting: a lamp or string lights (well out of reach) make it inviting.
Include props: puppets, flannel board pieces or stuffed animals from favorite stories encourage retelling.

Rotate, don't overload

A shelf crammed with 200 books isn't more inviting than one with 40 — it's less. Children can't see what's there. Keep a manageable number out, and every few weeks swap some for books that match your current theme. Keep a few class favorites out all year; children love returning to familiar stories.

Keep books in good shape

Teach book care explicitly: how to turn pages, where books go when you're done.
Keep a "book hospital" basket for torn books, and repair them with clear book tape.
Retire books that are beyond repair. Tattered books send the message that books don't matter.

Label your books so they come back

Stamp or label the inside cover with your name. If you let children borrow books home — a wonderful practice — use a simple sign-out system, such as a pocket chart with each child's name card.

Take-home book bags

A rotating take-home bag with a book, a simple activity and a note to families builds a home-school connection and gets more books into more homes. Include a short guide on reading aloud; our article on read-aloud strategies makes a great handout.

Start today

You don't need a perfect library by the first day of school. Start with twenty good books, a cozy rug, and a plan to add a few every month. In a year or two you'll have a collection that your students — and future students — will love.

Have a great budget book source? Share it in the community so other teachers can benefit.

Frequently asked questions

How do I keep borrowed library books separate from classroom books?

Keep library books in a clearly labeled basket or bin and return them on a set day each week. A sticky note inside the cover with the due date helps.

What's a good first set of books to buy?

Aim for a mix: a few rhyming books, several nonfiction titles about animals and vehicles, a couple of books about feelings, and seasonal picture books for your first themes.