Basic School Library Supplies

basic school library supplies

One of the most common questions new school librarians have is, “What are the basic library supplies I need?”

While it’s true that each school library will have specific supply needs, there are some basic supplies that belong in most school libraries.

Book Processing Supplies

  • Book covers of various sizes
  • Spine labels
  • Fillment tape
  • Plastic bone folder
  • Spine label covers of various sizes & colors
  • Due date slips
  • Stamp with school or library’s name
  • “Discard” stamp
  • Barcodes
  • Book pockets

Display Supplies

  • Magazine protectors
  • Book supports
  • Shelf markers or shelf labels

Prizes & Incentives

  • Fun bookmarks
  • Stickers (depending on the age of students)

Office Supplies

  • Computer cleaning supplies
  • Paper cutter

Supplies for Student Use

  • Scissors
  • Stapler & staples
  • Pencils & pens
  • Scotch tape
  • Glue
  • Colored pencils or crayons
  • Markers
  • Liquid paper / White-Out

Where can I purchase library supplies?

I usually purchase from one of the four suppliers below, and I can highly recommend each one.

  • Brodart
  • Demco / Highsmith
  • Gaylord
  • The Library Store

It’s a good idea to keep track of product information like item numbers, cost, sizes, and pricing.  It will lesson the hassle when it comes time to re-order supplies.  I have a free Master Supply List sheet on my Printables page that might come in handy.

What do you think about this list?  Did I leave anything out?  Please share your thoughts in the comments below. 

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The Ultimate School Library Conferences Calendar 2014-15

librarian conferences

I love going to conferences!  Luckily for school librarians, there are plenty to choose from.  I hope you get a chance to attend at least one of the following conferences this year.

Let me know if I left any conferences off the list and I’ll be happy to add them.

August 2014

  • Aug. 25-30. International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) Annual Conference. Moscow, Russia.

September 2014

  • Sep. 17-20. Kentucky School Media Association (KSMA) joint conference with Kentucky Library Association. Louisville, KY.
  • Sep 20. Massachusetts Computer Using Educators (MassCUE) with Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) Better Together Conference. Newtown, MA.

October 2014

  • Oct. 2-4. Washington Library Media Association (WLMA) Annual Conference. Yakima, WA.
  • Oct 2-4. Minnesota Education Media Organization (MEMO). Annual Conference. St. Cloud, MN.
  • Oct. 8-10. Nebraska School Librarians Association (NSLA) / Nebraska Library Association (NLA) Annual Conference. South Sioux City, NE.
  • Oct 8-10. Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME) Annual Conference. Orlando, FL.
  • Oct. 9-11. North Carolina School Library Media Association Annual Conference. Winston-Salem, NC.
  • Oct. 17. Maryland Association of School Librarians (MASLMD) Annual Conference. Linthicum Heights, MD.
  • Oct. 17-18. American Association of School Libraries (AASL) Fall Forum. St. Louis, MO.
  • Oct 22-24. Michigan Association for Media Education (MAME) Annual Conference. Ann Arbor, MI.
  • Oct. 23-25. Tennessee Association of School Librarians (TASL) Annual Conference. Murfreesboro, TN.
  • Oct. 23-25. Ohio Educational Library Media Association (OELMA) Annual Conference. Columbus, OH.
  • Oct. 26-27. New Jersey Association of School Librarians (NJASL) Fall Conference. Long Branch, NJ.
  • Oct. 27-28. Internet@Schools West. Monterey, CA.
  • Oct. 29-31. Kansas Association of School Librarians (KASL) Annual Conference. Wichita, KS.

November 2014

  • Nov 4-8. Association for Educational Communications & Technology (AECT) International Convention. Jacksonville, FL.
  • Nov 5-8. School Library Systems Association (SLSA) of New York State Annual Conference. Saratoga Springs, NY.
  • Nov 6-8. Illinois School Library Media Association (ISLMA) Annual Conference. Tinley Park, IL.
  • Nov. 6-8. Virginia Association of School Librarians (VAASL) Annual Conference. Roanoke, VA.
  • Nov. 17-19.  Indiana Library Federation Annual Conference.  Indianapolis, IN.

February 2015

  • Feb. 5-8. California School Library Association (CSLA) Annual Conference. San Francisco, CA.

March 2015

  • Mar. 1-2. Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) Annual Conference. Amherst, MA.
  • Mar. 11-13. South Carolina Association of School Librarians (SCASL) Annual Conference. Columbia, SC.
  • Mar. 22-24. Wisconsin Educational Media & Technology Association (WEMTA) Annual Conference. Wisconsin Dells, WI.
  • Mar 23-24. Schools@Internet East. Washington, D.C.

April 2015

  • Apr. 14-17.  Texas Association of School Librarians Joint Conference (TASL) with Texas Library Association (TxLA).  Austin, TX.
  • Apr. 19-21. Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL) Spring Conference. Osage Beach, MO.
  • Apr. 30- May 2. Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA) Annual Conference. Hershey, PA.

June 2015

  • Jun. 25-30. American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference. San Francisco, CA.
  • Jun. 28- Jul. 1. International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Annual Conference. Philadelphia, PA.

Which conference is your favorite?  Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Database Information Printable

Are you tired of getting overwhelmed by all the information you need in order to manage your subscription databases?

I used to have the log-in information scattered all over the place- on post-it notes, in emails, in spreadsheets. I finally got tired of it and created a printable to keep track of it all in one spot.

This printable helps me find the information I need quickly. It will also come in handy for whoever takes over my position in the event that I change jobs.

DatabaseSheetEditable

If you purchase this printable, you’ll receive a PDF that allows you to fill in information, print, and save. Or, you can just print it out and fill it in by hand. Your choice!  I charge $1 to help me offset the cost of website hosting and PDF editing software.  I do have other printables available (a few are free), so be sure to check those out.


Buy this on Selz
Sell digital downloads on Selz

Let me know what you think about this printable! Please leave your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below.

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