Tips to Manage a Little Free Library

You’ve done it - you’ve started your own Little Free Library!  It’s up and running, but how will you maintain and manage it?  Following my previous post on tips to start your own Little Free Library, I’ll now outline my advice for running a successful Little Free Library.

Let’s review how to acquire books for your Little Free Library.  You can get books affordably in many ways.  For my neighborhood library, I buy books on a budget at my local thrift stores and garage sales.  I also accept donations if someone approaches me and offers.  For the libraries located at my schools, I buy books with Scholastic Dollars earned from our book fairs.  Teachers and students have organized book drives for the Little Free Library, and I accept donations when anyone offers.  

Determine what patrons will use your Little Free Library, and supply books to fit their interest.  At the libraries located at my schools, I only put books suited for elementary-age readers.  I put in a combination of picture books, beginning chapter books, and 4th/5th chapter books.  At the library located in my neighborhood, I supply books for a wide-range of users.  I put in baby books, picture books, beginning chapter books, 4th/5th chapter books, teen books, and adult novels.  I try to supply something for every member of the family, both young and old. 

To track the books I supply, I mark each book with a sticker located on the spine.  Since users take a book and leave a book, I can quickly distinguish between which books are mine and which books were donated.  This allows me to determine what types of books are moving (and not moving) and I get to know my patrons and their interests.  For the library located in my neighborhood, I’ve found that my girl books disappear quickly (especially my 4th/5th chapter books).  Girls are my biggest users!  I buy and add girl books most often.  I have found that adult books do not move very often, so I only keep about 4 adult books in the library and leave more room for picture and chapter books.  All of this data can be collected by adding a distinguishing sticker to the books you supply.  My sticker has “Little Free Library” printed on it which acts as free publicity and a reminder of your library as the book moves on.  Plus, it’s fun to see a book you provided come back weeks and months later.  I’ve even had one of my books returned to me at the public library because it arrived there with of my stickers! 

Aside from books, I suggest providing a few additional items inside your Little Free Library.  Many people are unaware of what a Little Free Library is and how it works.  So I suggest creating an informational flyer outlining facts about your library and keeping a good amount in stock for users to take.  In my neighborhood library, I also have a small container of dog bones that I keep stocked.  People visit the library as they walk their dog.  The owner gets a book, while the dog gets a treat!  Many Little Free Libraries have a guest book for visitors to sign.  I had a guest book when I first opened my neighborhood library, but gave it up after a few months.  It became one more thing to check often and I feared it would become a place for inappropriate chatter.  I didn’t want my young readers exposed to any foul remarks.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that Little Free Libraries run themselves - people give a book and take one, so there is always a steady supply of quality books on hand . . . wrong!  It will take ongoing work and effort to maintain your Little Free Library and keep patrons visiting.  

Here’s my biggest advice . . . If you want people to continue visiting and using your Little Free Library, take out low-interest books that are donated and replace them with high-interest books.  This will happen to you - your users will take the new, cool book you put in and leave behind an old, out-dated book they found lying around their house.  That’s why I’m constantly buying books and donating low-interest books to Goodwill.  But it’s important to do this!  If you leave unpopular books in your library, people will stop visiting.  Take out the bad books to free up room for good books.  If you put in a book and it’s not moving, take it out and replace it with something else.  If you keep it fresh and give users what they want, they’ll keep coming back.  

How often do you check on your Little Free Library?  Your library will be used more in warmer weather.  In the winter, I check on my libraries twice a month.  In the summer, I check on my libraries once (and sometimes twice) a week.  

When you check on your Little Free Library, what do you do?  First, I organize all the books - they can become quite messy!  Second, I add more dog bones to the container and make sure there’s enough informational flyers available for the taking.  Third, I take out all the damaged and low-interest books for donation.  I also take out any books that have been there awhile and are just not being taken.  Remember, don’t leave in unpopular books.  Try to keep all your books fresh and high-interest.  Fourth, I add books to ensure a variety.  For my neighborhood library, I add a few baby books, teen books, and adult books.  Then I pack it full of picture books, beginning chapter books, and 4th/5th chapter books.  I also ensure a variety of girl and boy books.  I never know what type of books I’ll need to supply when I visit, so I keep my collection of books in the truck of my car.  I drive around with four boxes of books in my car at all times - it’s a hazard of being a steward!  I could add them to my car every time I visit the library, but it’s heavy to lift them and it’s just easier to leave the boxes in there all year round.  

Managing and maintaining a Little Free Library is a lot of work, but the rewards are worth every minute.  You’ll be building community, promoting literacy, and impacting readers both big and small.  I love driving by my libraries and seeing patrons using them - parents and grandparents reading books to young children on the nearby bench.  I see neighbors walking and riding bikes with books in their hands, and I know they’re either going to or leaving the Little Free Library.  I hope you start your own library and experience these pleasures for yourself.  Best of luck to you and happy reading!

Tips to Start a Little Free Library

You’ve probably heard about and seen Little Free Libraries popping up all over the world, nation, and your own community.  They were started in 2009 by Todd Bol in Wisconsin.  He made one as a tribute to his mother and now there are over 36,000 worldwide.  Little Free Libraries promote literacy, the love of reading, and create a sense of community as neighbors participate in a free book exchange - patrons simply leave a book and take a book.  My family started a Little Free Library in our neighborhood in April 2015.  As a teacher librarian, I put a Little Free Library outside both of my elementary schools in December 2015.  If you’ve ever entertained the idea of starting your own Little Free Library, here is my advice and suggestions to get you up and running.  

You’ll need to decide whether to buy a pre-made Little Free Library or make one yourself.  For my three Little Free Libraries, I bought them all at littlefreelibrary.org.  I bought one of the ‘Essential’ model.  It comes put together with the exception of the door.  I had to assemble the door with the plexiglass and add items like the hinges, door knob, eye and hook latch, and a magnet for the inside of the door.  I’ve bought two of the ‘Cedar Roof Basic’ and I prefer this model.  It comes completely assembled (door and plexiglass included), but I did add a door knob and magnet for the inside of the door.  If you decide to build your own Little Free Library, there are building tips and guides on littlefreelibrary.org.  

Once you have your Little Free Library, you’ll need to stain or paint it.  I stained the Little Free Library in my neighborhood to fit with our HOA’s ascetic.  For the Little Free Libraries at my schools, my students and I painted them with outdoor paint.  Each reflects the colors and spirit of each school building.  If you’re looking for ideas on how to decorate your Little Free Library, many can be found by doing a search online. 

You’ll also need to decide how you want to mount and install your Little Free Library.  For all three of my Little Free Libraries, I purchased a mount at littlefreelibrary.org and a 6 foot post at my local hardware store.  To protect them, I either stained or painted my mounts and posts.  You can find instructions on how to install a Little Free Library at littlefreelibrary.org with the mount I purchased, and step to make your own mount.  I suggest adding a bench nearby for patrons to comfortably read and enjoy books.

In order to legally use the ‘Little Free Library’ name, you’ll need to purchase an official charter sign with charter number.  If you buy a Little Free Library from littlefreelibrary.org, your library will come with an official charter sign.  If you build your own library, you’ll need to buy a sign online.  Once you have a charter sign with a charter number, go to littlefreelibrary.org and register your library.  This puts your Little Free Library on the world map and allows people in your area to find and access your library.  You can even include a picture and a brief summary.

Now you have your Little Free Library, but how do you acquire books?  You can get books affordably in many ways.  For my neighborhood library, I buy books on a budget at my local thrift stores and garage sales.  I also accept donations if someone approaches me and offers.  For the libraries located at my schools, I buy books with Scholastic Dollars earned from our book fairs.  Teachers and students have organized book drives for the Little Free Library, and I accept donations when anyone offers.  

You definitely need a starter set of books, but you will need to replenish books as you maintain your Little Free Library overtime.  One of the biggest misconceptions if that Little Free Libraries run themselves - people give a book and take one, so there is always a steady supply of quality books on hand . . . wrong!  It will take ongoing work and effort to maintain your Little Free Library and keep patrons visiting.  Join me for my next post on tips to run a successful Little Free Library.  

Best of luck starting your own Little Free Library!  They encourage community and promote literacy, but it’s most rewarding being a steward to a Little Free Library.  You will positively impact your neighborhood and it’s readers both big and small.  It’s a worthy community service that makes my librarian heart smile :)

Books to Celebrate Summer

I did a previous blog encouraging themed browsing boxes at home.  I love playing librarian to my daughter and creating a collection of holiday books for her learn about, enjoy, and celebrate the season.  I recently put together a browsing box full of summer books.  Below is a list of books about summer for you to create your own themed browsing box at home.  Happy reading and happy summer!

Mouse’s First Summer by Lauren Thompson

I See Summer by Charles Ghigna

Let it Shine by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Flip Flop Bop by Matt Novak

Brownie and Pearl Take a Dip by Cynthia Rylant

The Days of Summer by Eve Bunting

Summer Days and Nights by Wong Yee

Welcome Summer by Jill Ackerman

How Do You Know It’s Summer?  by Allan Fowler

What Happens in Summer? by Sara Latta

Baby Loves Summer! by Karen Katz

Where is Baby’s Beach Ball?  by Karen Katz

Beach Bugs by David Carter

Hello Kitty: Hello Summer! by Sanrio

The Night Before Summer Vacation by Natasha Wing

Froggy Learns to Swim by Jonathan London

Froggy Plays T-Ball by Jonathan London

Curious George: Lemonade Stand by H. A. Rey

Daniel’s Day at the Beach by Becky Friedman

Maisy Learns to Swim by Lucy Cousins

Olivia Goes Camping by Alex Harvey

Biscuit’s First Beach Day by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Lego Friends: Summer Adventures by Catherine Saunders

The Summer Vacation from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler

Bailey’s School Kids: Werewolves Don’t Go To Summer Camp by Debbie Dadey

Magic Tree House: Summer of the Sea Serpent by Mary Pope Osbourne

Magic Tree House: Stage Fright on a Summer Night by Mary Pope Osbourne

Rainbow Fairies: Joy the Summer Vacation Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Rainbow Fairies: Samantha the Swimming Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Magic Kitten: Summer Spells by Sue Bentley

My Weird School Daze: Mr. Sunny is Funny by Dan Gutman

Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer by Megan McDonald

Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown by Jarrett Krosoczka

Katy Kazoo: Camp Rules! by Nancy Krulik

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney

Summer School! What Genius Thought That Up? by Henry Winkler

Summer According to Humprey by Betty G. Birney

The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen

Sunny Side Up by Jennifer Holms

Books to Celebrate Mother's Day

Enjoy these books to celebrate moms on Mother’s Day!

Pinkalicious: Mother’s Day Surprise by Victoria Kahn

Fancy Nancy’s Marvelous Mother’s Day Brunch by Jane O’Connor

T. Rex and the Mother’s Day Hug by Lois Grambling

Dinosaur vs. Mommy by Bob Shea

I Love My Mom by Caroline Bell

The Night Before Mother’s Day by Natasha Wing

The Mother’s Day Mice by Eve Bunting

What NOT to Give Your Mom on Mother’s Day by Martha Simpson

Mommy Hugs by Karen Katz

Little Critter: Happy Mother’s Day by Mercer Mayer

Berenstain Bears Mother’s Day Blessing by Mike Berenstain

I Love my Mommy Because . . . by Laurel Porter

Someday by Alison McGhee

What I Love About You, Mom by David Marshall

Mother’s Day Surprise by Stephen Krensky

Suggested Items & Products for a Makerspace

Following my previous post regarding why makerspaces are important, where makerspaces can implemented in schools, and how makerspaces can operate, I’m now going to discuss items to include in a makerspace.  There are items I recommend starting with (both donated and purchased), and items I suggest acquiring once your makerspace is up and running.

If you’d like to start a makerspace in your building but don’t have any funds to do so, you can ask for donations.  I truly believe that a makerspace it really more of a mindset than an actual space.  A makerspace involves students exploring, designing, problem solving, and collaborating.  This can be done with a short list of very basic items.  One way to collection items is through a Donors Choose campaign, were you can collect funds to purchase items.  When we started the makerspaces in my two buildings, we asked parents to donate from a list of suggested items.  Here is a list of items in particular that we asked for:

• Duct Tape
• Scotch Tape
• Masking Tape
• Foil
• String
• Ribbon
• Yarn
• Fabric
• Toilet paper and paper towel rolls
• Old toys to take apart
• Screwdrivers
• Scrapbook paper
• Origami Paper
• Construction Paper
• Straws
• Balloons
• Empty water bottle
• Water bottle and pop caps
• Cardstock
• Pencils
• Crayons/Markers/Colored Pencils
• Rulers
• Toothpicks
• Egg Cartons
• Play Doh
• School glue
• Hot glue gun
• Sewing supplies (sewing machine, thread, looms, needles)
• Perler Beads (and iron)
• Scissors 
• Popsicle sticks
• Dixie cups
• Paper Plates
• Newspapers
• Pipe Cleaners
• rubber bands
• Plastic storage contianers
• Ziploc Bags (sandwish & gallon)
• Marbles
• Cardboard
• Cardboard connectors
• Batteries (AA & AAA)
• Cotton Balls
• Cupcake liners
• Coffee filters
• Paint & Paintbrushes

In the end, we received donations for many of the items listed above and purchased any items we did not receive.  As supplies run low throughout the school year, we either buy what is needed or ask parents to donate from a short list of requested items.

If you have funds to start your makerspace, I have suggestions for starter products to buy.  The market for STEAM and makerspace items is vast.  Below is a list of affordable items I suggest purchasing to get your makerspace up and running.  For my two buildings, these items are perfect for students in grades K-5:

• Keva Planks
• Snap Circuits
• Ozobots
• Marble Mazes (both plastic & wood)
• Legos
• Knex
• Makey Makey

If you’re lucky enough to have extra funds or you’re ready to expand your makerspace beyond these items, I have suggestions of products to purchase.  These items are on the pricey side, but they are certain to extend the learning taking place in a makerspace setting.  Remember, you can always do a Donors Choose to raise funds to purchase expensive products.  Additional items I suggest purchasing for your makerspace are:

• Computers/Laptops & iPads
• 3D Printer
• 3D Scanner
• Sphero
• Little Bits
• Hummingbird
• Lego WeDo
• Lego Mindstorms
• Lego Technics
• Dash & Dot
• Bee Bot
• Makedo Items
• Raspberry Pi
• Arduino
• Squishy Circuits
• Cubelets

No matter what items your makerspace has, remember that the focus is on student learning.  Students can think critically, inquire, test, collaborate, design, and create with many items or just a few (in fact, limited resources challenges students to adapt and problem solve).  Start with donated items and build to purchased materials, both cheap and expensive.  

Please stay tuned for my next blog post on makerspace kits you can easily make with very little money.  Instead of buying learning products, make them!  I’ll show how students can create their own doodlebot, flashlight, bristlebot, three-wheeled car, and a water bottle balloon car. 

The Challenge Continues . . . Buckeye Book Award Reading Challenge 2005

And the reading challenge continues!  As stated in a previous post, my librarian friend Ashley Lambacher of the Book Talker and I are hosting the Buckeye Book Award Reading Challenge.  Our goal is to read all the past winners from the children’s book category in chronological order from 1982 to the present.  I will read the K-2 picture book winners and Ashley will read the 4-8/3-5 chapter book winners.  Because 2004 was skipped, today I continue my challenge by reading the winner of the K-2 Buckeye Book Award in 2005, Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by Candace Fleming.

After years of dreaming of planting a garden, Mr. McGreely finally makes his dream come true. However late one night, three hungry bunnies appear: "Tippy-tippy-tippy, Pat! Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!"  The next morning finds our farmer furious over the gnawed sprouts.  So he builds a small wire fence.  That night... "Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!"  So Mr. McGreely builds a tall wooden wall, then a moat and an enormous cinderblock tower with searchlights.  Each night his garden is eaten by the greedy bunnies.  In the "gotcha" finale the rabbits seem defeated.  but they burst into view one last time with a vigorous repetition of “Munch! Munch! Munch!”  Kids love Candace Flemings repetition and Brian Karas's lively illustrations.  My daughter is a fan of this book and the other Tippy books.  Still popular today, a well-deserving winner of the 2005 Buckeye Book Award.

Ashley, your upcoming 2005 book is Judy Blume’s Super Fudge.  It was a personal favorite of mine when I was a little girl.  What about you?

Would you like to join Ashley and I as we read through Ohio’s award winning books?  We welcome any and all who are interested in participating in this fun reading challenge.  For more information, click here.

A Makerspace - Why? Where? How?

The makerspace movement is the hottest new trend in education.  They are popping up in many elementary, middle, and high schools across the state and nation.  As a teacher librarian, I serve on the makerspace committees in both of my elementary buildings.  The makerspaces in each building are new, and were launched this school year.  In a series of upcoming blog posts, I’d like to provide others insight into starting, operating, and maintaining a makerspace.  Today’s post will discuss the philosophy explaining why a makerspace is important, where makerspaces can be located, and how makerspaces can be utilized.

Makerspaces are revolutionizing the way educators approach teaching and learning.  Built on the idea of constructivism, they provide personalized learning, inquiry-based instruction, and promote STEAM.  Makerspaces can be defined as a unique “place where students can gather to create, invent, tinker, explore and discover using a variety of tools and materials” (Diana Rendina, Renovated Learning).  By creating authentic learning experiences, makerspaces provide hands-on, student-centered learning.  They foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving skills, while promoting collaboration as students work together to create projects and complete design challenges.  Makerspaces allow students to explore their own interests, allowing choice on learning activities and approaches to task completion.  Most of all,  makerspaces encourage a growth mindset as students redesign, solve, and persevere through complex, and often challenging, assignments.

You know a makerspace is a valuable addition to schools, but where is a makerspace located?  The makerspaces in both of my buildings are very different.  In one elementary, our makerspace is located in a room connected to the media center.  There are five work tables (no chairs) and shelves full of tinkering items.  If you have an available room in your building, I highly recommend turning it into a makerspace.  Having makerspace items stored within the tinker space allows for a one stop shop for creation with a variety of resources.  If you do not have an open room in your school, you can still have a makerspace.  For instance, in my other elementary building we have makerspace items stored on shelves for teachers to bring to their classrooms to use.  I truly believe that a physical space is not needed to have a makerspace in a school.  A maker mindset can be promoted anywhere!  In fact, having access to a limited amount of items/supplies forces students to adapt and seek alternate solutions to their design and creation challenges.  Worry less about the physical space of a makerspace, and focus on the mindset of a maker environment.

Regardless of where your makerspace is located, how it’s utilized by staff and students is an important aspect.  In my elementary building with a makerspace room, it is signed out by teachers to use with their students.  Teachers either allow students freedom to create or tinker, create stations with specific learning activities, or ask students to complete a specific STEAM challenge.  If teachers want help using the makerspace with their students, the gifted teacher and myself can be scheduled to assist.  In my building without a physical makerspace room, teachers can sign out the makerspace items to bring back to their classroom.  Once again, teachers can allow students time to discovery play or they can create tables of design challenges or ask students to solve a STEAM challenge.   If teachers want assistance, I can be scheduled to help.  As a teacher librarian, I am not in the specials rotation.  Teachers see me to schedule lessons taught independently and in partnership with them.  If you are a teacher librarian within the specials rotation, you could offer makerspace time to your already scheduled classes.  If you are a teacher librarian on a flexible schedule in a middle or high school, you could have a makerspace within your library for students to utilize during their study hall period. 

If you’re considered starting a makerspace at your school, I hope this post was helpful.  There are many ways to bring a makerspace to your staff and students.  Find what works best for your school, and go for it.  The unique learning provided by a makerspace is too valuable to not try and start somewhere.  Please stay tuned for my next post on items to include in a makerspace.  I’ll offer my advice on what to purchase first and later, as well as suggestions for donated items.

Happy 1st Birthday To My Blog!

On this day last year, I posted my first entry on my ‘Page Turning Librarian’ blog.  It was about the Little Free Library my family installed in our Hilliard neighborhood.  I’m please to see that both my blog and our Little Free Library continue to thrive and increasingly serve many.

The Little Free Library in our neighborhood has inspired more libraries over the year.  Originally dedicated to the memory of my father who gave thirty years of community service, he’d be pleased by the sense of community it has brought to our neighborhood.  He’d be even more proud to see this one Little Free Library grow to many more for the children of Hilliard.  Last fall, Hilliard’s Superintendent Dr. John Marschhausen granted my wish to install a Little Free Library at all fourteen elementary schools in the Hilliard City School District.  So far, a Little Free Library has been installed at both of my elementary buildings with plans for more to be installed in the next few months.  

My ‘Page Turning Librarian’ blog continues to grow strong and I have new plans for it in the future.  With an audience from ten countries worldwide, so far my blog has had over 3,500 hits - not bad for it’s first year!  With posts about my Buckeye Book Award Reading Challenge, book reviews, reading recommendations, and seasonal book lists, I’ve had quite a lot to say over the year.  While I’ll continue to create posts along these same lines, I’d also like to do more entries about:

• My continuing work with Little Free Libraries (look for my tips to run a successful library coming soon).
• My contribution to the makerspaces in my buildings and this rapidly growing movement (be looking for posts that include product reviews, tips for a successful makerspace, and tutorials to create unique maker kits for students to build).  
• Invite guest bloggers to contribute entries regarding their passions and strengths.

If you read my blog, sincerest thank you for your support over the past year.  Please stick around for another exciting year of celebrating elementary libraries and children’s literature.  Here’s to one year down and many more years to come.