library tasks for students

Elementary Librarian

Library lesson plans and ideas for the school librarian. Lessons incorporate Common Core and AASL standards.

Free Library Games, Resources, and More

Use our free library games and resources to help students pass the time in the library. These games, worksheets, slideshows, and more will supplement your existing library curriculum. You may also find yourself saving time.

Click the images to browse the free resources by grade-level. 

Grades K-1 Library Games and Resources

Find games and activities to teach the parts of the book and ABC order. You'll also find computer games and more resources related to key library skills.

Grades 2-3 Library Resources

Access a host of free dictionary activities, as well as activities to help students learn how to use online encyclopedias. Plus find general library skills games and resources. These resources work great for centers and whole group activities.

Grades 4-6 Library Resources

Discover free library games and resources for grades 4-6. Topics include book care, procedures, the Dewey Decimal system, and more. Plus there are lots of fun games for students.

Looking for lesson plans? Click here!

You can save time by subscribing to Elementary Librarian. Not only will you access loads of lesson plans, but you'll also get access to 101 Library Centers. Ready-to-go activities for the library? What more could you need?

For free informational stories and read-aloud lessons , visit our friends at HelpTeaching.com .

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24 Library Activities for Middle School Students

October 7, 2023 //  by  Michelle Mandel

Getting tweens into the library to do library activities and explore books takes some creative thinking. Activities that are interactive, fun, challenging, and hands-on are the best way to get started. We need curiosity and mystery in library activities that will keep them on the edge of their seats for more.

1. Get to know your library via a scavenger hunt 

Many students do not know how to use the library. They go into the library and ask for help again and again. . This game can be played so that students can get to know the library and all its resources inside out.

Learn More: Cli.org

2. Cross Curricular Research Project

This game encourages children to look up resources. Using the filing system and focusing on the layout of the library. Make multiple lists of different authors and levels of difficulty. Have the children work in pairs and try to complete the list in a timely manner.

Learn More: Pinterest

3. Giving a twist to library catalog instruction

Locating a specific book on shelves that are filled with thousands of amazing reads can be challenging and overwhelming. Here is a fantastic game to ease your middle students into understanding the complexity of the library.

Learn More: Trapped Librarian

4. Basic Library Trivia 

School librarians can help middle school students get to know the educational topics about how to use the library and books. For example, call number, table of contents glossary, bibliography, encyclopedias, volumes, and more!  Here is a quick game, and you can DIY one yourself on card paper to help students feel like a “bookworm”!

Learn More: Quia

5. Murder Mystery at the Library 

This fun activity is based on those murder mystery dinner party games. You can DIY at a low cost and just think if you work together with other teachers you can incorporate other subjects as well.  Using resources from the library and even trying to use classic literature to find the clues.

Learn More: Programming Librarian

6. Go “Bananas” game board in the school library 

This game is so much fun and faster than scrabble. You can set up Bananagram stations and decorate them with stuffed monkeys, apes, and primates. Put up some jungle deco and small groups of students can play this game. Being in the library in a fun environment can stimulate interest.  So have fun and go bananas.

7. Bookworm- Hide & Seek 

Kids love playing games, even tweens!  5th and 6th graders will love playing this game and creating laughter in the library is the best gift you can have. Children have to ask the right questions to find clues and like “hide and seek”, find the book that is hidden.

Learn More: Board Game Geek

8. Make a book “trailer” and post it on social media!

8th-grade students are tech-savvy, and using digital resources students can create their own “book trailer” with images, music, text, and more. Tweens will be totally engaged with this project and they can do it in groups. They might have to read it to make a good trailer.

Learn More: Looking Backward

9. Poetry in the library -Make it fun!

If you say the names of classic poets, the students might ask you who they are and why they are important. Poetry needs to be recognized in the library, but somehow it is still lurking in the shadows. Even Alicia Keys  & Halsey are poets. Use these poetry games and have fun!

Learn More: Read It Write It Learn It

10. Cinderella and Fairy Tales in the Library 

This activity is geared toward your 5th-7th graders so they can easily learn about literature in the library, “fairytale” style. Have them work through this engaging lesson pack to explore the world of Cinderella by inviting them to listen, write, and sequence the events of this whimsical tale.

Learn More: Literacy Stations

11. Where’s  Waldo? 

Waldo is such a funny character and these activities are geared for 5th-7th grade. Learn so many things and lots of great printables for teachers and librarians. The parts of a book, alphabetizing, and word walls. Using the library collection play lots of games too.

Learn More: Scribd

12. Maps are inviting to get tweens to read.

A hundred acres of woods, Winne the Pooh,  Narnia, Harry Potter, The Hobbit, and Avatar, are some examples of geography, maps, and lands to discover through literature. With this link, your students can find books that are interesting to them or great for your lesson plan using map quests.

Learn More: Edu Scapes

13. Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?

Use these fantastic resources to play the game inside and outside of the library. Virtual Adventures that you can incorporate reading material for 7th and 8th graders. Using the DIY ideas and a variety of books you have got a great mystery to solve.

Learn More: Van Meter Library Voice

14. Have Middle Schoolers help make a new bulletin board for the library and give it a makeover!

Libraries don’t usually look like shopping malls, there are not any neon lighted signs or blinking lights. There might be a few signs but they probably are just informative and not appealing or enticing for reading.  Pre-cut some of these visuals for middle school students to help you put stations and create centers together.

Learn More: Book Pal

15. Cootie Catchers Library Jargon 

Middle school students love cootie catchers and kids can come to the library and make them, check out books, and play with them during the break. Games help to reinforce basic vocabulary and ideas and if students associate having fun in the library -they will be back.

16. The top 30 books to read!

Here is a great collection that librarians, teachers, and parents need to be encouraging students to start reading and make their favorite bookmarks. We must pull away from screens and back to the old-fashioned paper books. Comprehension and social skills are depending on it!  How to use the list and get the most out of it!

Learn More: Mind Joggle

17. Get sticky notes and go wild.

Make books jump right off their shelves by having your pupils delve into their various themes. In this awesome initiative, you’ll have them read stories that relate to a specific theme before inviting them to post sticky notes with observations they’ve discovered while reading their books.

Learn More: Observer-Reporter

18. Tic Tac Toe 

Kids come to the library with a list of names of books for  “checking out”    you can write 9 titles of books per game. If the book is available they get an O. If the book is “checked out ” they get an X until all of the students can find a title to check out.

Learn More: Book Shark

19. Dewy Decimal System Fun

The Dewy decimal system is something imperative to learn for students. To be able to get around in the library and find resources is important. Students need to see how books in massive numbers can be organized by the Dewy system.

Learn More: Staying Cool In The Library

20. ” Book Tasting”

Set up the library like an Italian Pizzeria and have waiters serving paper drinks and asking for their orders on the book menu. Each menu has only 5 “dishes ” ( books) Each guest chooses one and starts reading. There are three courses. When the time is up. Then choose the book they like to check out!

Learn More: Flickr

21. Dear Harry Potter…

Children can choose one of their favorite books or a book that they are keen on reading but this time they need to focus on a letter to the main character. What would you ask Harry Potter or Hermonie?  Would you warn them or just want to share?

Learn More: Book Riot

22. Comic Books 

Using digital creation tools, creative educators have created some pretty cool and interactive online comics through your local library. So if you are interested in action and adventure this is right up your alley!

Learn More: CBLDF.org

23. Coloring and making bookmarks

If kids make a cool bookmark they will want to use it. DIY have them design their own bookmarks and have some preprinted ones for coloring bookmarks too. They will love this craft! Make them give as gifts too with recycled paper.

Learn More: WikiHow

24. WOW kids by watching the short video on the best 15 libraries in the world!

This is just a fun video to watch in the library on some pretty cool libraries around the world and talk about ideas of renovation for yours – How can the seating, lighting, tech, and resources be changed to make the library the next place to hang out?

Learn More: Insider

• Picture Book Brain

Free Library Games, Resources and Videos

• October 12, 2022

Use these free library games, resources and videos to help students pass the time in the library. These library games, videos, slideshows, and more will supplement your current library curriculum. Hopefully these games will help you save time and engage your students in library skills practice!

Elementary Library Resources

Take a look at some of the links in this curated list by an elementary librarian!

Free Library Games

Librarian assistant training program.

Library Shelf Order Game

Typing Games

Coding Games

Read Aloud Videos

Library Videos

Internet Safety

K-1 Library Resources

Grades 2-3 Library Resources

Grades 4-5 Library Resources

Looking for free library lesson plans? Click here!

You can save time by joining the Picture Book Brain Trust . Not only will you access HUNDREDS of lesson plans, but you’ll also get access to novel studies, digital and printable resources, book giveaways, community and much, much more. Ready-to-go library activities and lessons? It’s everything you need and more!

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Conclusion: Free Library Games, Resources and More

These resources are great for elementary librarians! These resources are constantly updated, but many others can be found on a number of elementary library websites . If any links are broken, please let me know! At the time of this publication, all of the library games and resources are free, but we all know how that goes sometimes. If you notice a link that now requires payment, please hit the reply button below and let me know so I can remove it.

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Promote reading for pleasure with these hand-picked library lessons and activity ideas

The next few weeks could be a great time to rediscover your school or class library and get your students to explore new books and authors. With its variety of genres and subject areas, a library is undoubtedly one of the finest resources for promoting reading for pleasure. We’ve brought together a collection of inspiring lesson and activity ideas to help both you and your students fall in love with books. 

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Trauma-informed practices in schools, teacher well-being, cultivating diversity, equity, & inclusion, integrating technology in the classroom, social-emotional development, covid-19 resources, invest in resilience: summer toolkit, civics & resilience, all toolkits, degree programs, trauma-informed professional development, teacher licensure & certification, how to become - career information, classroom management, instructional design, lifestyle & self-care, online higher ed teaching, current events, examples of library research assignments.

Every student must develop library research skills in order to complete academic work in most subjects throughout their academic careers. More specifically, they will apply these skills along with library support services when researching information for essays, reports and projects.

However, library research skills are applicable well beyond the classroom, as adults benefit from library research for work as well as for leisure. Students who complete assignments that develop their ability to conduct library research are establishing a lifelong knowledge on how to find, decipher, and interpret information.

There are many ways to develop good library research skills. Here are tips that will help students get started.

Lead with librarians

Librarians are key to the success of assignments for students related to library research abilities. Utilize the opportunity to involve librarians by asking them for ideas for creating assignments. Librarians can also evaluate an assignment to determine its effectiveness and offer advice for making assignments more relevant. Also, contacting a librarian ahead of time regarding an assignment will alert them that students will be in the library doing a particular activity. Creating a partnership with the librarian will be beneficial for students who are dealing with multiple instructors while learning about skills with library research.

Establish concrete objectives

The first step for conducting solid library research is to set concrete objectives. Also, the student must understand what the skill is that they are implementing in an assignment. For example, the student might be learning how to write citations in a bibliography or how to research databases. However, if the assignment makes assumptions that the student already understands the reason for learning these research skills, it will not be as conducive. The assignment must include clear goals, along with supplemental information, such as how the particular skill relates to the library or other academic subjects.

Application of the skill

Learning about any particular research skill can be a tedious chore if the assignment is not made interesting for the student. Integrate a library research activity in with other assignments to create a meaningful connection. For instance, if introducing how to search for scholarly sources, an assignment could be a part of a research project on a topic of interest to the student. Assignments that encourage students to put their new research skill into action have more staying power compared to a straightforward assignment that simply focuses on the skill.

Relevance is key

Making the research skill assignment relevant and exciting to the student is essential. When a new skill for library research is introduced, by incorporating it with other related activities, the student is more likely to recall the skill later on. For example, for an assignment that is focused on how to research primary resources, a trip to a museum or historical site would be highly relevant and interactive. The student would have the chance to see a skill put to use in the real world while learning how to conduct the appropriate steps for success.

Involve library support services

Given that library research skills involve the library, it is only natural to incorporate support services at the library. Involve the library research department and applicable services when creating assignments that teach research skills. For example, a librarian could visit a classroom to teach the students how to look for scholarly reference sources on the Internet. Additionally, librarians may be willing to work with students in groups or individually to conduct research in the classrooms.

Instructors who are tasked to teach skills related to library research, such as the difference in primary and secondary sources or how to conduct scholarly research, have an important job. With preparation and planning, these assignments can be beneficial for students. The most important things to remember when creating these assignments are relevance and application. By creating a partnership with a library and its librarian, instructors are more capable of assisting students with library research.

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16 Inspiring School Libraries That Invite Every Student to Become a Reader

Welcome them in and they’ll never want to leave.

School libraries are becoming a bit rarer these days, which makes them all the more precious. Treasure yours by filling it with motivating words and artwork that draw young readers in to explore. These inspirational school libraries will give you some ideas to fit pretty much any budget. Go ahead, build a literary wonderland!

1. Create Book Smiles

These 3-D books pack a big pop! You could easily replicate this idea using poster board and styrofoam. 

Source: Janice Davis/Coroflot

2. Imagine It All

The closer you look, the more you spot the amazing details in this awesome mural. Be sure to visit the link for close-up shots and in-progress photos.

Source: A Girl and a Glue Gun

3. Find the Magic

Dr. Seuss is a big part of school libraries, so a mural like this will really connect with kids. After all, books really are magic!

Source: Lola Murals

4. Books Open Doors

You may not have the resources to recreate the dimensional details of this incredible library, but you could definitely paint walls (and steps!) to look like book spines.

Source: OUP Libraries/Twitter

5. Inspire Tomorrow’s Leaders

What a great sentiment! There are plenty of creative ways to display this message in school libraries.

Source: Classroom Pinspirations/Instagram

6. Reading is the Ticket

Children’s book characters riding a roller coaster together? Genius! This is one amusement park every kid will want to visit.

7. Books Are Friends

What young reader wouldn’t want to join their favorite characters on this bench? (Save us the seat next to Pooh Bear!)

Source: Settlers Primary School Library Mural/Behance

8. Explore Between the Covers

Open a book, and you open up the world. (5th graders helped create this one… how cool!)

Source: Erica Jones

9. Letters Are the Building Blocks

Letters make up the books that fill school libraries. This alphabet display from found materials is a terrific upcycling project.

Source: Risk to Learn

10. Follow the Wild Things

We love an idea that works shelving right into the design! You can buy this decal at the link below or tap a talented local artist to paint something similar.

Source: Designer Playground

11. Put On a Show

This is the stuff school library dreams are made of! If a full-blown house is out of reach, have students create one from cardboard boxes instead.

Source: American Libraries Magazine

12. Use Your Words

If you’ve got a Cricut or other die-cut machine , you can definitely make this one happen! Have students help you brainstorm the word list for a fun cooperative project.

Source: Lyndsey Kuster

13. Go Into the Woods

Transform a corner of your library into a cool leafy glade. You can find mushroom stools for sale, but it’s also surprisingly easy to whip up your own .

Source: The Guardian

14. Travel to Fictional Worlds

Whole school idea: Each class designs and creates their own directional arrow to add to this fictional wayfinding sign.

Source: Mira Costa High Library/Flickr

15. Reading is Terrific

Every school library has room in a corner for this simple, subtle design. (Love Charlotte’s Web? Get more fun classroom ideas here. )

16. Library Of Dreams

We simply had to include this drool-worthy library design. The incredible details and that fantastic tree have us wishing we could visit it for storytime every single day.

Source: CajunKev/Flickr

Want to make the most of your book collection? Check out these 30 Tips for Setting up an Inspired, Organized Classroom Library .

Plus, Little Free Library Ideas for Schools and Playgrounds .

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6 Important Library Etiquette Activities for Students

Libraries are more than just repositories of books; they are sanctuaries of knowledge and creativity. At Podar International School, teaching student's proper library etiquette is crucial to fostering a culture of respect for these valuable resources. Let’s explore six essential library etiquette activities for students that promote a conducive learning environment and instil lifelong values.

• Maintain a Quiet Environment A library is a place for study and contemplation. Students need to understand the importance of maintaining a quiet atmosphere. Engaging in conversations, whispering, or speaking loudly can disrupt the concentration of others. Encourage students to use soft voices or silence when in the library.
• Respect Others' Space Every student deserves a comfortable and focused space to study. Teach students only to overcrowd tables or take up what they need. Respecting the personal space of others ensures that everyone can learn comfortably. Additionally, remind students to return chairs and tables to their original positions after use.
• Handle Books with Care Books are valuable resources, and treating them with respect is vital. Teach students to handle books gently and avoid bending, writing in margins, or tearing pages. If a book is damaged, encourage students to report it to library staff immediately. Proper care of books ensures they remain in good condition for future readers.
• Use Devices Responsibly Many libraries allow students to use laptops, tablets, and smartphones for research and study. However, it's essential to use these devices responsibly. Encourage students to use headphones when listening to audio or watching videos to avoid disturbing others. Additionally, remind them to mute their devices and refrain from playing games or engaging in non-academic activities in the library.
• Follow Borrowing Rules The borrowing rules of a library are designed to ensure that books and resources are shared fairly. Teach students to respect due dates and return borrowed materials on time. Overdue books can inconvenience others waiting to access the same resources. If students need more time with a book, guide them on requesting an extension or renewal.
• Keep the Library Clean Maintaining cleanliness is essential for a pleasant library environment. Remind students to dispose of trash in designated bins and recycling areas. Eating and drinking may be prohibited in some libraries due to the potential for spills and crumbs that can damage books and other materials. Encourage students to use designated areas outside the library for snacks and drinks.

Incorporating Library Etiquette into Education Promoting library etiquette is the responsibility of students, educators, and parents. At Podar International School, we integrate lessons on library etiquette into our curriculum to ensure that students understand and practice these important principles. Parents can also play a significant role by discussing the significance of library etiquette with their children and encouraging them to be respectful library users. By reinforcing these values at home and in the school environment, we can collectively create a library that promotes learning and respect.

The Benefits of Good Library Etiquette

Practicing proper library etiquette has numerous benefits for students:

Enhanced Learning : A quiet and focused environment promotes better concentration, allowing students to absorb information more effectively.

Positive Atmosphere : A well-organized and clean library creates a pleasant and inviting atmosphere for study and research.

Respect for Resources : Teaching students to treat library materials carefully instils a sense of responsibility and respect for shared resources.

Consideration for Others : Practicing library etiquette encourages students to be considerate of their peers and fosters community and cooperation.

Academic Success : A disciplined and respectful approach to library usage can improve academic performance.

In conclusion, library etiquette is essential to responsible and respectful behaviour in an educational institution. At Podar International School , we are committed to instilling these values in our students to create a harmonious library environment and prepare them for a lifetime of responsible citizenship and academic success.

By following the six important library etiquette activities mentioned above, students can contribute to a positive and productive library experience for themselves and their peers. We encourage all students to embrace these principles and make the library a place of learning, growth, and respect.

Six Library Activities for Students

Libraries are the spaces where students are supposed to study, make their assignments, reports, and collect material related to their research projects. You already knew this? Yes, this is so simple and everyone knows this. But maybe there is a lot more Library Activities for Students.

No, I am not going to be that strict teacher who criticizes it. If you are finding a safe space for doing some other activities until it is not affecting others, there is no problem with it. Enjoy and let others enjoy. That’s why this piece is composed to let you have fun about the little things happening in your department. Talking about libraries, they have become the center for many activities along with studying. There is no denying the fact that most students still go there to study but there are also some other fun things that students use it for.  

Libraries are good places to gossip that students find no place to do, right? No there are a lot of places but doing them while whispering in libraries has its own fun. Librarians are tough and mostly they throw the students who are gossiping out of the library. Still, who knows how does it feel to hear a librarian screaming at you, apologizing to them, and then resuming the gossip again. All the class politics, teacher’s behaviors, and student problems are done in the library. 

Using free internet 

The internet of the whole department is mostly not working. A library is a place that never has poor internet. So, whether you have to download your seasons, movies, or watch them while sitting there, a library is the most suitable place for it. You are not disturbing anyone or making any noise. Thus, the librarian has no right to stop you from doing it. So, keep going, my friend. 

Feeling dizzy and want silence? Go to the library. It has many benefits. First, it is the most silent space in the department. Secondly, no one will stop you because you are doing nothing but staying silent while sleeping. Third, you can have a proper temperature and air conditioning system in a library that other places don’t have. This takes us to our next point which is a great reason to go to libraries for students.  

Using an air conditioner or a heater

Just like the internet, a library has the best air conditioning system in summer and a heating system in winter. So, when you are not feeling good in your classes because it does not have a proper temperature regulating system, the library is the best place for you. Students mostly use it in summer because winter can be enjoyed on the grounds but who will bear the scorching heat in summer. So, it is the heat in summer that has taken many students to libraries. Teachers think they have become serious about studying but tell them to check their air conditioning systems.     

A library is also the safest space to date for students. Particularly, if you are from an institute like Punjab University where ‘Jamiat’ does not allow you to sit together even for studying, the library provides you a safe space. Even if you do not have such pressures from outside, the library is a peaceful place to talk and know about each other. Moreover, if you are a couple who likes the studying environment that a library has, what else can be better for you. Well, these are not suggestions but just the reasons why students find it a good dating point. 

Reading novels 

You can easily portray that you are studying for your exams or preparing your reports while having a novel in your hand. What can be a better environment for that? Even when students go to a library with the intention of preparing assignments, their hearts take them towards the piece of fiction that they are studying. There is no compulsion of studying so enjoy having fun with these little things. It is your library and the facilities are made for you. Use them the way you want but just care for the innocent workaholics sitting around you. 

Read more: Famous Literary Festivals of Pakistan

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20 Library Reward Ideas Students Love

• stayingcoolinthelibrary
• November 29, 2022
• No Comments
• Library Management , Tips & Tricks

It’s likely you’ve found yourself wondering at some point how you can motivate students. Maybe you want to encourage positive behaviors or help struggling students meet a goal.  In these cases, offering extrinsic motivation may help! Before I share my different library reward ideas, I want to make it clear that rewarding students isn’t the only way to motivate them. I also advise against simply throwing around awards, especially for expected behavior. But for special goals or when a little extra motivation is needed extrinsic rewards work well. Here are some of my favorite library reward ideas that students love.

When Should I Use Library Rewards?

Library rewards can be used in various instances, but here are two I use most often in my library. First, there are class incentives. I may have a particular group that struggles to stay on task or clean up the library. If they meet the set goal, the whole class earns a reward.

I also incentivize individual students. This works well for students with behavior struggles or learning struggles. This external reward shows them that I recognize their hard work and gives them something to aim for.

Easy Library Reward Ideas

While food is always a fun incentive, it can get expensive and messy, and there is always the concern for allergies. I recommend choosing non-food based rewards (plus, they don’t expire, so you can use them throughout the school year).

Here are some of my most favorite library reward ideas. What gets it to the favorite list? It must be inexpensive, easy to implement, and pack a punch when it comes to motivation.

1. Makerspace

When a class meets the goal, a Makerspace day is a wonderful reward. In a makerspace activity, students get to create, build and explore with different materials. This can be as easy as putting out a variety of crafting supplies or recyclable materials. Anything you have on hand is fair game! You can also have more of a focus by putting out playdough trays.

Some people prefer for a makerspace to be open-ended. Just build, create and “make.” Others like to have a starting point or challenge. Either way, kids love makerspace activities, which is what makes this a great reward.

2. Special Activities

I like having special activities reserved for students I want to incentivize. You increase the motivation factor when students get access to something that is not the norm. Some examples include a LEGO set, working on a puzzle, or time in the special reading chair. 

3. Stuffed Reading Buddies

Kids of all ages love reading to a friend – real or not-so-real. Enter the power of stuffed animals as reading buddies. I love to collect literacy based character stuffed animals. If you are looking for some, make sure to follow Kohl’s department store. Their Kohl’s Cares section always has some great stuffed animals based on books for only $5!

If you don’t have a collection of reading buddies in the library, you can also allow a student or students to bring a stuffed animal to the library as a reward!

Having the opportunity to read with the stuffed friends is a great reward. If you allow kids to do this often, it may lose some appeal. In that case, getting to have “first choice” is a huge incentive!

4. No Shoes

Talk about an easy reward that kids go bananas over – let them take their shoes off! This classroom reward idea is probably a favorite of my students. No shoes, no problem! The whole class or particular students can take their shoes off for the duration of the class period.

5. Extra Recess

If your schedule allows, one always-loved classroom reward is extra recess! This is great for incentivizing the whole class and it comes with some extra benefits too. A little extra outdoor time and exercise will make for better focus and learning in the classroom.

Depending on your playground schedule, this might happen during library time or you might need to organize this extra recess time with the teacher. However it works out, you can’ go wrong with extra recess!

6. Checkout an Extra Book

If your library has a book limit, bend the rules a little bit here as an incentive. Let them check out one extra book as a reward for a job well done. I suggest doing this for only a few students to avoid checking out a ton of books at once. And. . . I wouldn’t offer this option for those habitual non-returners. While it is a great incentive we don’t want it to cause a financial hardship on a parent who has to pay book fines or replace lost books.

7. Flashlight Reading

When I have a class that’s doing really well, I love incorporating a flashlight reading day. Turn down the lights in the library and give students small flashlights to use while independently reading. They love it!

I allow students to spread out on the floor and read in the dark. Once a class has earned this reward, it becomes the most requested reward.

All it takes is a class set of small flashlights or finger lights . I prefer the “old fashioned” lights over the new LED lights for this activity because the LED bulbs are just so bright. I’ve found that students really love the lights in different colors too! And. . . once you’ve got these on hand you will find other ways to use them too!

8. Read a Joke

If you are looking for a classroom reward idea for a chatty student or the class clown? This is the perfect incentive. If they can meet the goal for the day, allow them to read a joke out loud at the end of the class period.

9. Game Day

Kids love playing games, so any chance to earn a game day yields lots of excitement. I like to save game days for those hard-to-stay-focused days right before holidays or on weird schedule days when things seem extra chaotic. It’s a great incentive that keeps students busy and engaged.

You can bring out the board games or use online gamification platforms, like Kahoot! or Blooket .

10. Scratch and Sniff

Scratch and Sniff stickers and bookmarks . . . the end all of all incentives – at least to a kid. Kids absolutely love these little rewards. I love them because they are so easy to have on hand and pull out at a moment’s notice.

Some kids love collecting stickers on a notebook or water bottle. Others just love having something they don’t get very often. And well. . . the addition of the special smell just takes it over the top!

11. Have Library Class Outside

Nothing is better than spending a nice day outside. Take your class outside for the entirety of their library time or incentivize the entire class to meet a goal (complete their station in 20 minutes) in order to get a certain amount of time outside.

Outside time doesn’t have to mean play time either. Students can have reading time, complete an activity, or have their lesson.

I love this incentive for those beautiful fall and spring days when the weather is just perfect.

12. Special Coloring Utensils

Another great library reward idea is having a special set of markers, crayons, or colored pencils students can use. You can bring these out during your library activity or let students visit a special center and make a bookmark.  

Some of the favorites I have used include smelly markers and decorative pens with fun and silly embellishments on them.

13. Free Seating

I’m convinced nothing makes my students more excited than free seating. This whole class reward idea will have you students full of anticipation at the chance to sit next to their best friend. It’s easy to see how this one makes the favorite list. It’s free, easy to implement and kids will do almost anything for a chance to sit where they want with who they want.

14. Chat Time

If you have a chatty group, this classroom reward idea is for you! Instead of constantly asking for attention, let students know when they can talk. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes of “quiet” time when you complete your lesson or activity. It doesn’t actually have to be quiet, but talking should be focused on the activity at hand. Then, if the goal is met, allow for 2-3 minutes of chat time at the end of class.

15. Class Challenge

This fun class challenge is a great way to connect a little learning with your incentive. Since these take a little longer to complete, I often use this as an incentive for a larger goal. It might be a month-long goal of returning books or using good library manners, but something that you can track and remind them of along the way.

Some challenges I have used in the past include a paper airplane challenge and a library scavenger hunt. Looking at STEM challenges is a great way to find a class challenge to use as an incentive. Be sure to build in time to “test” the challenge.

16. YouTube Video

When I have a class do really well, a quick way to reward them is with a YouTube video (student-friendly, of course!). You can play a Pixar Short, Go Noodle, or have a sing-along. There are so many options available and often times you can find a video that lines up with a book you’ve read or one that supports your library lesson. That’s a win-win for sure!

17. Library Helper

This classroom reward idea is loved by both shy and extroverted students. And. . . if you have a student that really needs an extra dose of support and encouragement, this is a great one. Allow the student to be a library helper. This might happen during their class library time or you might coordinate a special time with the classroom teacher.

Library helpers can help stack books, put out supplies for a new activity, hold the door for an incoming or outgoing class, or help scan books. Whatever you have them do, the ability to be your helper means a lot and they tend to take the job very seriously.

18. Treasure Chest

A classic reward idea is the treasure chest. You can fill this with dollar store items like bookmarks, plastic rings, fun pencils, and more. You can also ask for donations from parents or friends you know that have kids. A request for kid’s meal toys often brings in lots of great items for the treasure chest.

19. Library Music

If you want to reward the whole class, consider library music. You can play instrumentals as students read and work, or a more fun, kid-friendly song as you pack up at the end of class. Kids and music go hand in hand so using this as a reward is a no-brainer.

For an added incentive you can pick one or more students who get to choose the song or songs that get played. It’s like two incentives in one!

20. Wheel of Rewards

If you can’t decide on the right reward for a class or student, have them spin a wheel! Think Wheel of Fortune meets County Fair. Whether you make a wheel or grab one like this , you can add multiple rewards and let Lady Luck be the reward chooser.

I like to pick a special student to be the wheel spinner because that’s an incentive within itself!

Put the Library Reward Ideas into Action

I hope that you have found some library reward ideas that you can use. I suggest picking a few and starting with those. It’s always good to have a few individual and a few whole class library rewards in your classroom management toolbox. That way you can pull them out as needed.

If you want more tips on classroom management for your library, check out these posts:

• 10 Tips on Classroom Management for Librarians
• How to Manage Centers in the Library with Ease
• Library Activities to Make Check-Out Time Run Smoothly

Save these Library Reward Ideas

Pin this to your favorite library Pinterest board and save these library reward ideas so you can come back the next time you need fresh, new reward ideas.

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Fun Library Activities for Primary School Students

A library is an essential part of the school community, giving children the opportunity to discover a vast world of knowledge, to grasp core skills like reading, writing, organisation, and research. Participating in the use and care of the library is a key to understanding the value of knowledge and learning that is at the centre of our society.  

In primary school, children will often have their first experiences with using the library. Through primary school activities that engage children, you can help them grow accustomed to using the library. Teach them how to be considerate and how to learn on their own initiative with these activities that get kids exploring the space. 

Tips for Primary School Library Activities

• Make a book suggestion box and have each student complete a form detailing a book or a type of book they want to see in the library. Having the material that students genuinely want to read available is the first spet to getting them to spend more time in the library
• Start a reading marathon by putting up a reading chart in your classroom or in the library. Children can earn stickers for each book they read with a prize at the end when they’ve completed a certain number of books. Use a chart like this A3 Classroom Chart complete with star stickers so the children can keep track of their progress and be motivated to keep reading. This shouldn’t be turned into a race, though, Children all read at different speeds and favouring those who read more quickly could discourage the slower readers altogether.

• Appoint library assistants by selecting two or three students each week whose job it is to go to the library and make sure that everything is clean and tidy and in good working order. This will help to give the children a sense of autonomy over the library and motivate them to keep it in good condition. You could provide a checklist that will need to be signed by the librarian after each trip to the library covering things like no waste paper on tables, and other children being quiet.

Making Space for School Library Reading Activities

If it’s not practical for your classroom to have a reading corner you should check if your library has one. If not it’s a good idea to set one up. Children benefit from having a quiet space that is dedicated to reading or storytime. This helps them to compartmentalise reading sessions so that they can focus on the task at hand without distractions.  

You can stoke the imagination of your students by letting them help you decorate the reading corner in a way they like or a way that reminds them of the topics you’re currently reading or learning about. Get some inspiration from our den making supplies and find some fabrics and decorations your students might like.  

Scavenger Hunt Game

Library activities for school children that get them moving around the room are a useful starting point. This is important for when they need to do their own research, but also to help them discover everything that the library has to offer, and hopefully inspire them to spend some time there for their own enjoyment. 

Send the students on a scavenger hunt to collect special items from around the library. The items you ask them to find could be:

• A newspaper
• A book bigger than 15cm in height
• A stamp from the librarian (maybe for successfully checking out a book)
• A fact about the school by doing research on a library computer

Make sure the students will have to explore every area and pay close attention to detail. You could add bonus points for details like finding a newspaper from last year or finding a non-fiction CD.

Author Detective Game

Library activities for primary school children should help them grasp the way books are organised into the Dewey Decimal System and placed throughout the space. Help the students to understand the reference system in the library by tasking them to find a list of authors. Your list of author requirements should probe them to consider how to find certain names with different pieces of information. For example, your list could look like this:

• Find an author with a surname beginning with ‘St’
• Find an author who writes science fiction
• Find an author who was alive in the 1800s
• Find something written by a journalist (find out what type of author a journalist is first)

This will push the children to think of different ways to find information in the library besides simply looking for a genre section. 

Telephone Game 

Getting to know the library for the first time can be exciting, and this excitement should be encouraged as children explore all the information available to them. But it’s also important to teach children from the beginning that a library is a quiet place, and when they come into the library they must remember to keep noise levels down the whole time they’re there. 

Have the children sit in a circle in the library to play a game of Telephone (which teachers might remember as Chinese Whispers). Start the message off and have the children pass the message round the circle as quietly as they can. This game will keep the idea of being quiet in their minds as they play. At the end of the game remind the children that if they are in the library then whisper or talking very quietly is the right thing to do. This is also a good game to play during circle time . 

Make sure that your library has an area with a large mat for school library activities for children like this, and also for storytime when the class will listen to a story as a group. This Children of the World mat is ultrasoft and has a non-slip backing. 

Secret Code Game

Library activities for primary school students can help with understanding the Dewy Decimal System which is used in all libraries they will visit in the UK. Use a fun activity like this secret code game to explain how the Dewey Decimal System works and get the students to practice using it. 

Provide your students with a list of authors and task them with collecting all the reference numbers for each. It might be a good idea to ask them to find several authors in sequence so they can see how the reference numbers work next to each other. Once you’re confident the children understand how to find authors, provide them with a list of reference numbers and ask them to bring back a list of all the corresponding authors. 

Library Guardians Game

The importance of respecting the books and equipment in the library should be something students are aware of from day one. Any activity that you carry out in the library should be treated with care to make sure books go back on the shelves without any bends or tears in them. 

Teach children about looking after the library using this dice rolling game. You’ll need a die or some dice with emotions displayed on the faces like ‘sad’, ‘happy’, and ‘angry’. Our Soft Foam Emoji Dice are ideal for this game. 

Let the students take turns to roll the dice and then describe a way to treat the library that would make them feel that emotion. For example, a sad face roll could lead to examples of ways to damage books or disorganise the library. A happy face roll could lead to examples of bringing books back on time and helping the librarian to put them back in the right places.

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Family-Style Homeschooling

Library Activities

A friend of mine once told me that she won’t take her kids to the library because letting them handle all those books other people have touched just seems dirty.  SHOCK.  AWE.  Seriously?  Never in my life had I considered the library to be dirty .

It makes me feel quite the opposite.  Something about mountains of shelves full of thousands of books makes me feel all warm and hopeful, a little lovey even.  We try not to let a week go by without an outing to the library.  It’s our favorite and most often made expedition.

How To Make A Library Outing Fun

I do a couple of things to make it stay fun for my kids:

• I allow us plenty of time to peruse, play, do any activities they have, and just browse through all those glorious books.  Ours has a little puppet theater and computer stations, so it really never gets old.
• I read a few books to them while they’re there.  My goal is to find something really fun and captivating so they get a little of my book contagion too.
• I find books for them that I know they will be into.  Sometimes that’s hard to do because it isn’t necessarily what I would choose for them.   Last week I found a book for my 9-year-old son about how to make cool paper airplanes.  My first choice for him?  No.  Great literature?  No.  Important knowledge?  No.  But he loved it.  And because he loved it he now loves books a little more than before.
• I get each kid his own library card with his very own name on it.  They get to check out their own books and be responsible for finding all their own books when it’s time to gather them up and take them all back.
• I limit the number of books they can check out.  This may seem opposite of my goal to get them to love books, but really, it makes them choose books more carefully and they end up getting better ones.  They actually read all the books they check out AND they are begging me to take them back to the library to get more.

Library Outing Activities

Here are 3 printable library activities to try out on your future expeditions to the library:

The first one is a library scavenger hunt .

The second is an interview with a librarian .  You may have to make prior arrangements, but often the librarians are available and happy to help you with anything when it comes to learning more about the library.

And the third activity is an Explore Your Library Challenge:

Hope you enjoy the activities and some fun expeditions to the library.  The weekly library tradition is one we’re definitely holding on to.  Germy books and all.

More From Layers of Learning

Check out our bookworms page for lots more reading fun!

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6 thoughts on “Library Activities”

My mother makes fun of me because I always spend a few minutes after a library trip wiping down the books with Windex and a rag. Let her laugh. I am victorious over my fear of dirt AND still get the pleasure of a good library trip in with the kiddos. 🙂

I enjoy your blog!

I always put books on hold that I want to get for the kids "school reading", but then let them check out whatever books they want just for fun. They read nearly everything we bring home, fiction, non-fiction, how-to's, and we also throw in a fun video each week.

Great ideas here!

As a librarian and a homeschooler, please know that homeschoolers are VERY welcome in most libraries! We love that you volunteer, take great care in your reading selections, and often visit at off-peak times!

In re: ‘handling books others have touched’ it’s a hazard we face in all places. Like anywhere else, I suggest that we teach our children to wash our hands after being in a public place or touching public items, and not put our hands anywhere near our faces until we’ve done so 🙂

Don’t miss out on the opportunities available in your local libraries! We are still free, and can offer advice and service to help you find what you need to homeschool at your best!

The library is one of our favorite places on earth! At our hometown library the librarians know us, bring us books they think we’ll like, and no longer have to ask us for our library cards, we come in so often and check out so much.

hello, I am a librarian and love you worksheets, can I use the scavenger hunt for my library? thanks so much Samantha

Absolutely! You are more than welcome to use it. 🙂

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Topic Browsing in Library Databases: Enhancing Research Skills

Research skills are essential for students in any discipline, but finding the right sources can be challenging and time-consuming, especially when using online databases. Many students rely on keyword searches, which can return too many or too few results. They might also miss important, related information that does not surface with their search terms.

According to a recent article in eSchool News , one way to enhance research skills and optimize the use of library databases is to use topic browsing, a feature that allows students to explore different subjects and themes within a database.

What is Topic Browsing and Why is it Useful?

Topic browsing is a way of exploring a library database by navigating through different subjects or themes related to a general or specific topic. It is useful because it helps students find reliable and relevant information more easily, understand the context and connections between different topics,  and discover new and interesting content that sparks their curiosity. Topic browsing also supports visual learners and researchers who do not have a clear research question in mind.

How Does Topic Browsing Work?

Topic browsing works by allowing students to select a category or topic from a list or a visual display and then browse through subcategories or related topics until they find the information they need. For example, a student who wants to learn more about climate change can choose that topic and then see other topics such as greenhouse gases, renewable energy, or endangered species. Topic browsing can also help students narrow or broaden their focus, refine their thesis, and make comparisons between different perspectives.

How Can Educators Benefit from Topic Browsing?

Topic browsing can also save time and effort for educators who need to find high-quality and age-appropriate materials to support their curriculum and lesson plans. Library databases with topic browsing features offer a wide range of content, including books, magazines, primary sources, images, charts, and peer-reviewed articles by credible authors. Educators can trust that the content is carefully selected and curated by information experts who use various criteria, such as publication reviews, reading level measures, market research, and customer feedback. Educators can also use topic browsing to introduce students to the research process and encourage them to explore the available knowledge more deeply.

Topic Browsing in Explora

Explora, the EBSCO experience for schools and public libraries, features carefully curated topic categories that provide users with a visual entry point to browse popular research topics and subject areas. Each topic category brings the user to a page of popular, colloquial or curriculum-based subtopics where they can dig in and discover new information more serendipitously. Clicking on the subtopic brings them to a unique, dynamic topic page featuring a topic overview, related subtopics, related topic overviews, a sample of search results (with the option to view all results), and a carousel of relevant e-books, if available. The experience is logical for all users and friendlier to younger or novice researchers.

In addition to helping students quickly find the information they need to complete research assignments, Explora’s browsing experience also provides educators with built-in topical guides that can help them more easily identify and align database content to school curriculum.

The Explora research experience comes free with dozens of school and public library databases. To learn more, or to request a demo, click the button below.

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Two more student tours this spring! Library Shelving Facility offers a look behind the scenes

The Yale Library Shelving Facility (LSF) is opening its doors to students for the first time. The sprawling facility—located in Hamden, just 3 miles from Sterling Memorial Library— is rarely open to visitors. 

There is still availability for the final two tours of the season!

The tour and round-trip travel time are included in the time slots specified below. Each tour is limited to 16 students, so advance registration through the links below is required.

Thurs., April 11: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Thurs., April 18: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The tour and round-trip travel time are included in the time slots specified . Each tour is limited to 16 students, so advance registration through the links below is required.’

Gary Burcheski, manager of Library Collections Services, will be conducting the hour-long tours of the impressive facility and its operation.

The pickup and drop-off point for registered participants is Phelps Gate at 344 College Street. The bus will leave promptly, so students should arrive at Phelps Gate 15 minutes before departure time.

LSF is home to more than 8.5 million library resources. Each year it fulfills more than 100,000 patron requests via its Eli Express 24-hour weekday delivery service to individual library locations.

LSF opened in 1998 to accommodate Sterling’s growing collection of materials, which was steadily exceeding its storage capacity. Throughout the next 25 years, items from the collections of every library in the extensive Yale Library system have found space on the 63,000 shelves of LSF.

This series of tours is for students only. Library staff and faculty tours will be scheduled this summer.

—Deborah Cannarella

Images: Staff member operates order picker to retrieve and replace items on shelves up to 30 ft. high; two views of storage areas in the Yale Library Shelving Facility. Photos by Robert Lisak

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2024 National Library Week

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• Participate in one or both for a chance to win a fantastic package filled with CF supplies.
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Show us your favorite study spot in the library.

Note: Your email will be entered into prize drawings.

1. Go to the library in Bldg 3, 2nd Floor

2. Find your favorite study spot, and take a picture. Remember if there is someone there, please ask permission first to take a picture.

3. Send the image to the library's email at [email protected]

Note: 

Activity #2: Acrostic Poem

Write an acrostic poem for the word: bibliophile.

• Bibliophile: A person who has a great love for books.

1. Write an acrostic poem for the word Bibliophile

2. Send your poem to  [email protected]

What is an Acrostic Poem?

An acrostic poem is a poem in which the first letter of each line spells out a word when read vertically. See an example below.

P eace is happiness

E nergy for the mind

A lways in search of it

C oming with gifts for the soul

E nriching life

• Next: Circulation >>
• Last Updated: Apr 5, 2024 3:58 PM
• URL: https://library.cf.edu/students

Teachers, save “Solar Eclipse 2024” to assign it to your class.

Solar Eclipse 2024

Student Instructions

Teacher Notes (not visible to students)

⭐Summary: Students will explore topics related to Solar Eclipse Day 2024. 🔑 Key Vocabulary: solar eclipse, sun, moon, Earth, shadow, light, orbit ⭐This is a supplemental activity that can be used in conjunction with your district curriculum. ⭐This activity is best used whole group on an interactive board where students come up and manipulate the objects in the activity or on individual devices in focused small groups (especially for any voice or screen recording/video activities). 🛑 Always preview videos to be sure they fit your audience/needs.

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