Library Teaching Resources
School librarians and media specialists, rejoice! The ultimate collection of school library resources is here with decor for elementary and middle school libraries and media centers, book review templates and a whole lot more!
Created by the literacy specialists on the Teach Starter team, this collection is packed with printables and activities designed to get your students hooked on reading and teach them to become informed consumers of a variety of media.
Explore the complete collection, and you'll also find tools created to help you keep things organized and teach students about the special organization systems that exist in libraries!
Are you new to running the school library or media center? Read on for some tips from our teacher team to make the most of the space!
How to Create a School Library Space Kids Love
You've probably heard the saying over the years that the library is the "heart of the school." Maybe it's even why you decided to pursue a career working in a school media center.
But now that you're in the space, are you looking for ways to ensure library time is the special that students can't wait for each week?
Here are some tips from our teacher team!
- Set up a makerspace. Library-based makerspaces have taken off in the past decade, and social media is full of incredible ideas at schools around the country. But don't let those over-the-top spaces scare you. Start small with small creation stations where kids can create with popular building bricks or creative craft supplies like duct tape, then build from there!
- Set up a school reading dog program. There's a growing body of evidence that reading to dogs can help young readers become more confident. So why not set up a reading dog program at your school? Partner with the owner of a therapy dog in your area (ask school staff for suggestions — they might have one of their own!), and set up a schedule for special visits from Fido.
- Hold regular book tastings. Help students break out of their reading comfort zones with the fun of book tastings that give them a "taste" of books they might not have chosen for themselves. (Don't forget to check out our book tasting resources to save you time!)
- Create "zines" with your students. The library has always been the place where students have learned about different forms of content — from books to online newspapers, and, of course, magazines. Keep the flavor of the latter alive with a zine project with some of your upper elementary or middle school students, challenging today's digital kids to go analog.
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Winter Bulletin Board - Warm Up with a Good Book
Display book reviews all winter long with a hot cocoa-themed Winter bulletin board kit.
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50-Book Challenge Tracker & Printable Bookmark
Encourage your students to complete the 50 Book Reading Challenge with a printable bookmark to track their books.
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Halloween Bulletin Board Set – Wrapped Up in a Good Book
Download a printable Halloween bulletin board set for your classroom library or school library. Showcase your students’ insightful book reviews with our Halloween-themed classroom display.
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Newspaper Book Review Templates
Read and write all about it with a fun newspaper-themed book review template.
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The Lost Library Card – Whole Class Escape Game
Use inference and problem-solving skills to decipher the puzzles and uncover the hidden code.
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Curious Creature Book Review Template
Create a curious creature-themed book review during Halloween or any time!
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'Get Stuck in a Good Book' Poster
A classroom poster to inspire the love of reading.
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Design Your Own Book Cover Worksheet
Design a new book cover and summarise a book using this one-page, printable template.
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Library Scavenger Hunt for Upper Elementary Grades
Explore the school library with a scavenger hunt!
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A Book a Day Keeps the Monsters Away! — Bulletin Board Set
Print a monsters and reading-themed bulletin board bundle perfect for Halloween!
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Library Scavenger Hunt – Lower Grades
Explore the school library with a scavenger hunt!
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Book Recommendation Template
Create a class book recommendation display with this printable template.
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Shark-Themed Book Review Template and Poster
A fun shark-themed poster with 3 book review templates.
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Book Review Template
Encourage your students to share their thoughts on a story with this simple book review worksheet.
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Reading Challenge - 10-100 Book Challenge Reading Logs
Start the 100-Book Challenge With a Fun Reading Log!
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Classroom Book Tasting Resource Pack
Introduce your students to new book genres with an exciting food-truck-themed “Book Tasting” classroom transformation.
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Reading World Scavenger Hunt
A set of 20 reading tasks for your students to complete as part of a reading challenge.
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I Love to Read Mini- Book
Share the love of reading during Read Across America week with a printable reading habits mini-book.
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Library Scavenger Hunt Worksheet
Take a journey through the classroom library with a Library Scavenger Hunt activity.
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Read Across America Book Brochure
Share the love of reading during Read Across America week with a printable book review brochure project.
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Read Across America Banner - Book Review Template
Read and review your favorite books during Read Across America week with a printable Read Across America book review template.
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Book Scavenger Hunt Task Cards
Take a journey through the library with a set of Read Across America Scavenger Hunt task cards.
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Read Across America - Reading Response Templates
Read and review the best books in the U.S.A. during Read Across America with printable book review templates.
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Read Across America Scavenger Hunt for Upper Grades
Print a Read Across America 2024 Library Scavenger Hunt and take a journey across the US with your class!
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Sloth-Themed Book Review Template
Use this sloth-themed book review template to write about your favorite book.
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Monster Book Report Template
A cute monster-themed book report template.
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Decorative Reading Glasses Template
Spruce up your next reading session with these fun reading glasses that students can cut and assemble.
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Diversity Reading Challenge
Celebrate diversity and inclusivity through our student reading challenge adapted to different ability levels.
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Women's History Month - Reading Challenge
Honor women in literature with our reading challenge for students to complete during Women's History Month.
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Reading Corner Poster – Wild About Reading
A beautifully designed poster to display in your classroom reading corner.
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Reading Corner Poster – Cure Your Curiosity with a Book!
Spark a love of reading in your students with this classroom poster.
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'Power Up With Reading' Superhero-themed Poster
A superhero-inspired poster for your classroom.