Classroom Library Linky Party!

Mrs. E over at The Sweet Life of Third Grade is hosting a Classroom Library Linky Party! Head on over to link up :)

Of course I do not have access to my classroom to show off my library area (as we literally have to pack up EVERYTHING every year in case we get moved -- yes, it is lame!).

But fortunately I do have some photos of my various library areas over the years.

This was my 2nd grade classroom the first time I taught 2nd grade, in the '07-'08 school year. I miss those windows!! I was only at this particular school this one year. I had a HUGE room but not a lot of shelving and such for a library area. I used this rug that I got from a retiring teacher the year before and the books were separated by topic. I liked this because I could have books up on top like in a real library. The kids loved it.

This is that same 2nd grade room. Later in the year I moved the library area into the back of the room because I had more space. My literacy coach had given me a bunch of books they got from a grant and I needed somewhere to put them. Moving the library into the back allowed me to use this back counter space (which is directly to the left of the library) for more book storage and a reading corner. 

This was my 4th grade room at Former School. By far my favorite classroom space I've had so far. I LOVED the small library shelves they gave us. Much more room to spread things out so it didn't get too crazy for the kiddos. Plus it kept it relatively clutter-free which bestills my heart!

This was my library area last year (5th grade). I HATED IT because I had to try to cram 600+ books onto it. This was the only cart I had and with 34 kiddos at the start of the year...I had no more space to spread anything out. 

The above is the same kind of cart I'll have this coming year for 2nd grade....but the retiring teacher also left me a small bookshelf that someone gave her eons ago that will help me to spread my books around the room. I also plan to buy a small 3-shelf bookshelf so I can spread my library around a bit more because the cart I will get in my classroom is full of leveled books (bonus!) plus I have books of my own so I am definitely going to need more space!