Stepping into your first classroom is exciting—but let’s be honest, it can also be completely overwhelming. Between planning lessons, managing behaviors, learning district systems, and just figuring out where to stand during fire drills, your first year is a whirlwind. And somewhere in the middle of it all, you realize… you need a classroom library.
But books are expensive. And building a collection from scratch? That can feel impossible on a new teacher’s salary.
The good news? You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to create a warm, welcoming library that gets your students excited about reading. There are plenty of budget-friendly ways to fill your shelves fast—and many of them will even help you connect with your community in the process. Here are five great strategies to help you build a library with heart and financial smarts.
1. Start at Goodwill and Other Thrift Stores
You’d be surprised at how many quality children’s books end up at Goodwill or your local thrift shops. Most are under a dollar—and you’ll often find beloved series, picture books, and even gently used chapter books. It might take a little hunting, but keep your eyes open for books in good condition and build your library one gem at a time.
Pro tip: Ask the cashier if your local store ever runs half-off sales—some locations have special discount days where you can double your haul for the same price.
2. Launch a Scholastic Book Club
Starting a Scholastic Book Club account is an incredible way to earn free brand-new books just by sharing a monthly digital flyer with your families. When parents place orders through your class link, you earn bonus points that can be redeemed for books, posters, and even classroom supplies.
Even if only a few families order each month, those points add up quickly—and it’s a great way to make your library feel fresh and exciting all year long.
Bonus tip: Don’t hesitate to highlight a few favorites from the flyer in your weekly newsletter or classroom updates. A little recommendation can go a long way in getting parents interested.
3. Check Out Local Public Library Sales
Many public libraries hold annual or seasonal book sales, where you can pick up donated or retired books for literal pocket change. Some even host “bag sales” where you pay $5 to fill an entire bag.
Look up sales through your local library’s website or call and ask when the next event is scheduled. These sales are often open to the public, and you’ll likely meet other teachers doing the same thing.
4. Browse Teacher Yard Sales and Community Listings
At the end of a school year or during the summer, many retiring teachers or teachers changing grade levels host “teacher yard sales” to clear out classroom supplies—and that includes books! Taking the extra time to locate these treasure troves will be well worth it. Check online through places such as Facebook Marketplace, gsalr.com, yardsales.net, or the newspaper for neighborhood sales.
Search for keywords like “teacher sale,” “classroom books,” or “homeschool books.” You’ll often find bins of books being sold for a fraction of retail price, and sometimes people are willing to negotiate even lower prices if you’re buying in bulk.
5. Send a Staff-Wide Email at Your New School
Never underestimate the generosity of other educators. Send a short, polite email to your new school staff explaining that you’re a first-year teacher building your library, and ask if anyone has extra books or duplicates they’d be willing to donate. Many veteran teachers have overflowing shelves and would be happy to pass along a few titles to help you get started. It’s a great way to build connections and let your new colleagues know you’re eager to create a meaningful learning environment for your students.
6. Share an Amazon Teacher Wishlist
Create an Amazon wishlist specifically for your classroom library and share it with friends and family on your personal social media pages. You might be surprised at who’s willing to support you! Former teachers, proud grandparents, and old friends love to help new educators get started—especially when they can easily pick a book or two from your list.
Keep the list focused, include a range of price points, and be sure to thank anyone who contributes.
Helpful tip: You can also include a short blurb about your new classroom and why you’re passionate about building a reading culture. People love to support a mission they can believe in.
7. Talk to Your Principal or PTO
Don’t be afraid to ask your school leadership team or PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) if there’s room in the budget to support classroom libraries—especially for new teachers. Sometimes schools receive grant funding, Title I resources, or community donations that can be allocated toward student materials. Set up a brief conversation with your principal or PTO president. Come prepared with a few examples of what types of books you’re hoping to add (e.g., diverse titles, graphic novels, nonfiction). Even a small amount of support can go a long way!
8. Create a DonorsChoose Project
If you’re teaching at a public school in the U.S., DonorsChoose is an amazing platform where you can create a project request for classroom resources—like books!
Here’s how it works:
- You create an account and outline your project (e.g., a classroom library for third graders).
- You choose books or book bundles through their partner vendors.
- Once your project is approved, it goes live and donors from around the country (including major organizations and match donors) can contribute.
- When your project is fully funded, the materials are shipped directly to your school.
Insider tip: Keep your project small and specific the first time (under or around $200). This increases the chances of it getting funded quickly. Use engaging language to explain how the books will benefit your students and share your campaign with your network.
Bonus Freebie: Genre Labels for Your Library
To help you get started, I’m including a freebie from Canva—a set of genre labels for your new classroom library! As you begin building your collection, it’s a great time to sort your books a few at a time into categories before your shelves grow too large to manage easily.
I personally laminate the labels and hook them to the front of my genre bins for durability. To make book returns easier for students, I also use different colored stickers on the bottom left corner of each book that correspond with the genre bins. This simple system has saved me countless hours of sorting and helped my students become more independent in keeping our library organized.
Classroom Library Genre Labels Canva Freebie: Click here
Final Thought:
Your classroom library doesn’t need to be Pinterest-perfect on day one. Start small, focus on variety, and know that over time your shelves will grow—and so will your students’ love for reading. You’ve already taken the first step by caring enough to build a space where stories, imagination, and curiosity can thrive.
You’ve got this—and your future readers are lucky to have you.
