Thursday, January 24, 2013

Classroom Library Organization

Thanks to a small snow event, I have an extra 2 hours this morning!  Hooray for snow delays!  I thought I would add a quick blog post about classroom libraries! 


I don't know if you're like me or not but I just LOVE books and therefore I am constantly adding new books to my class library. 

An awesomely organized teacher friend of mine turned me on to a cool app for my phone that will scan the books and create a database on my phone which includes title, author, a picture of the cover and so much more!  It's called booksapp2 and it is FREE!  It certainly comes in handy when I am planning with my team and we are trying to pick books to use for a lesson or when someone says, "Does anyone have a copy of ...?" 

The app has a built in book  scanner that allows your phone to be the scanner.  You just aim your phone at the ISBN bar code on the back and it will find the book for you!  Scanning the book automatically creates all the data for that book like subjects, author, number of pages, release date...! 

I had some awesome student helpers come in and scan books for me last winter, they came in during indoor recess which was a great help!  Now I know exactly what books I have in my library; all I have to do is find them when I need them!  :)

Thanks for stopping by!  Please let me know what other cool things you do to help keep your classroom libraries organized!!

July 7, 2014 ~ Check out my newest updated library and iPhone app post here!
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40 comments:

  1. Teach With LaughterJanuary 26, 2013 at 3:55 PM

    I'm going to have to try out this app!

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  2. Mrs. AndersonJanuary 27, 2013 at 12:29 PM

    This sounds awesome!! I am going to give it a try.
    Connie Anderson:)
    www.welcometofirstgraderoom5.blogspot.com

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  3. UnknownJanuary 27, 2013 at 9:34 PM

    Thanks for the tip on the app! I'd been using a different app but I hated how it organized the books, I could never find them when I needed them. I'm going to have to try this one out! :) Thanks!

    Bri

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  4. twilliamsFebruary 6, 2013 at 5:30 PM

    I love your library! I have to say that I am completely addicted to children's books. Whenever someone at my school is looking for a book they always come to me because they figure I have it. LOL

    Teresa

    2nd Grade Pig Pen

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  5. First Grade CarouselFebruary 14, 2013 at 6:09 PM

    Thanks for sharing. I will have to give this app a try.
    Maria
    First Grade Carousel

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  6. UnknownFebruary 16, 2013 at 8:52 PM

    Wow! I found your blog via pinterest. That's an awesome looking app. Thank you for sharing.

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  7. StephFebruary 21, 2013 at 12:40 AM

    I love this!! I found you through TpT and you make miss teaching first grade!!!! I love the way your library is decorated with the palm tree and clouds! I teach 3rd-4th grade now (after 9 years in first grade!) and I have noticed that I dont do the cute things that I did in the primary grades. It makes me think that I can cute up my room a little bit to make it a little more cozy!

    I love this app idea. I have a ton of books in my library but I have never had a way to organize the titles. This app could be my saving grace! I might "hire" some of my students to come in and scan for me! Thank you for the great ideas!

    You can check out my library at www.allstudentslearn.com

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  8. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2013 at 10:39 PM

    LibraryThing works quite nicely too, and you can scan with it too...plus you can get a lot better use out of the database/webpage.

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  9. UnknownMarch 3, 2013 at 9:50 PM

    YEAH...how awesome is that app!!! I found you via Pinterest!! Can't wait to try it out!! Thanks so much!

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  10. UnknownMarch 9, 2013 at 12:12 PM

    Can you give me any more info on the app? I just looked it up and the reviews are mixed. It didn't tell me how many it could catalog.

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  11. UnknownMarch 9, 2013 at 12:23 PM

    Hi Erin,

    I like the app! I read the reviews too and they seemed pretty negative but I have not had any problems with it. I have had it for over a year and it has never locked up on me or crashed.

    I hope this helps! Let me know what you think after you give it a try! :)

    Laura

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  12. Groovy EducatorMarch 18, 2013 at 1:20 PM

    I absolutely LOVE this!!! I can't wait to get the app!!!

    Thanks for linking up and sharing the idea!

    groovyeducator.blogspot.com

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  13. MelanieMarch 18, 2013 at 8:17 PM

    This is so cool! Do you know if you can only access the catalog through your phone or if there's a way to see if from the computer? I'd love for my students to be able to access the catalog without handing out my phone :)

    http://atrendyteacher.blogspot.com

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  14. CraftyCaroleMarch 23, 2013 at 8:49 AM

    awesome! I just spent a pile of money on my classroom library... This will come in so handy. THANKS!

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  15. Kristen CrouchMarch 26, 2013 at 3:53 PM

    This is wonderful! Thank you for sharing! I recently sat and tried to create an excel document of all of my books and only got a third of the way through my library! This is so much simpler! Cant' wait to try it!

    rhythmsforliving.blogspot.com

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  16. Kelly and KimMarch 28, 2013 at 9:54 AM

    I am doing some blog hopping today and came across your blog. I am so happy I did. This is such a great idea and I can't wait to try it out!! Thank you so much for sharing this idea with us. Your library looks great!!
    Kelly and Kim’s Kindergarten Kreations

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  17. Rachel SeymourApril 6, 2013 at 1:58 PM

    I just shared this on my blog! I found it through Pinterest! Thank you soooo much for sharing! :)

    Rachel
    A-B-Seymour

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  18. UnknownApril 14, 2013 at 9:22 AM

    Great suggestion! It even has a section to write who you've lend it to. This fantastic for my bad memory. Thanks!!!

    Monique

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  19. MandyApril 15, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    This is awesome. I'm not a teacher but I am a major book addict so now I can organize my home library! If someone ever needs a suggestion for a book to read... BOOM! Got it!

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  20. Amber UngerApril 22, 2013 at 9:43 PM

    Oh my word!!!! I downloaded this app yesterday and I'm in LOVE!!! Thank you for posting about this. You have answered my questions that I had involving my mass collection of children's books. :-)

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  21. CyndiApril 24, 2013 at 9:16 PM

    This is AWESOME!!! Yay for a snow delay! Thank you!

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  22. UnknownMay 11, 2013 at 8:57 AM

    After seeing this, I tried it out last night. I LOVE IT! Thanks for the ideas! :)

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  23. Molly CampbellJune 6, 2013 at 1:14 AM

    Thank you for posting about this! There is a mac application called Delicious Library that does the same thing, but there I hadn't found an equivalent for my phone. I get way too into these things, wanting to scan every book in my apartment - and that's a lot!

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  24. ErikaJuly 30, 2013 at 12:04 AM

    How do your wire shelves hold up in a classroom? I've been considering these but was worried the kids would lean on them and they cave in. peschaff@bresnan.net

    ReplyDelete
  25. UnknownAugust 3, 2013 at 5:33 PM

    Hi Erika
    I have had the same shelves for 3 years and they have moved schools and even classrooms with me. They are sturdy and super easy to move once they are empty. I keep them together using cable ties and I also put some pieces of cardboard down on the shelves that I don't have baskets in so the books don't fall through.

    Laura

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  26. UnknownAugust 22, 2013 at 11:03 PM

    Is there a way to transfer your information to a computer program such as word from the app?

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  27. Ben ConnMarch 10, 2014 at 1:03 PM

    we would love to donate the book retriever app to you for use. It is specifically created for classroom libraries!
    ben@classroomlibrary.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Pig&PinkApril 20, 2014 at 5:11 AM

    Hi! I think this is a great app! and a very useful! but, there is an android version? or it is only for apple? thanks so much! Finally I find an app for my books :)
    this is my email anubis440@outlook.com

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  29. AmyMay 6, 2014 at 4:51 PM

    I cannot download the app it says it isn't available in the US. Any idea why?

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  30. kathryn witteMay 12, 2014 at 6:29 PM

    I haven't been able to access it, either. Arrgh!

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  31. UnknownMay 18, 2014 at 4:20 PM

    I have been trying to download this app as well. It doesn't seem to be available in the US. Are you still able to use this app?

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  32. UnknownJune 16, 2014 at 4:38 PM

    not available in US...boo!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Mrs. WileyJuly 5, 2014 at 9:47 AM

    I tried today and it says not available in the US. :(

    ReplyDelete
  34. SandraJuly 7, 2014 at 11:03 AM

    This one did not work for me, but I did find one from Classroom Library Company. It cost me $0.99 but I love that it has a check in/ check out feature. When you check it out, it gives a price to replace the book, too! I have already started my database!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SandraJuly 7, 2014 at 11:05 AM

      Oops - name of the app helps "Book Retriever"

      Delete
  35. Miller's Flip FlopsJuly 7, 2014 at 5:06 PM

    Thanks Sandra for the "Book Retriever" app. I'm going to try it out :)

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  36. teresaJuly 17, 2014 at 8:55 PM

    I found the BooksApp using my Samsung Note3. I quickly scanned a few barcodes--so easy! Thank you!! I can even export my list of books to Google Docs!

    ReplyDelete
  37. UnknownAugust 25, 2015 at 9:25 AM

    Are other students able to check out books using this app? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  38. KeepuncherAugust 10, 2016 at 8:39 AM

    I am definitely going to try this. Bye Bye Book messes!

    ReplyDelete
  39. KeepuncherAugust 10, 2016 at 8:40 AM

    I am definitely going to try this. Bye Bye Book messes!

    ReplyDelete