As the school year comes to a close, it is time to begin wrapping things up in the library. One of the biggest end-of-year tasks is making sure all library books are returned. I am currently sending reminder emails home to families to help track down overdue books and get everything checked back in before summer break.
During the last two weeks of school, there will be no book checkout so we can focus on getting materials returned and preparing for inventory. To encourage students, classes that have all books returned or paid for will earn popsicles! The first class to complete this goal will also receive an extra activity day in the library with STEM activities and games.
Another important task this time of year is the annual library inventory. With a full teaching schedule, finding time for inventory can be challenging, so I try to work on it whenever I have a few free moments. Field trip days are especially helpful, and I also work before or after school when meetings and IEPs do not fill the schedule.
Weeding the collection is another ongoing project. While I do some weeding during inventory, I try to keep up with it throughout the year while shelving books and checking shelf order. This makes the process much more manageable in the spring. With new books arriving each year, I typically remove a few hundred older titles annually to keep the collection current, useful, and engaging for students.
On the last day of school, after the students head home for summer, I finish the year by wiping down shelves and dusting books one final time before summer break begins. It is a busy season, but it is also rewarding to prepare the library for another great year ahead!
Tech Fun In The Library 