Saturday, February 25, 2012

Amazing Library Resource

Have you ever wanted to use a book for a lesson but just didn't know if you had it or where it was? That's my problem. I love love love buying books and have collected a good sized library in my two years of teaching. I recently found this AMAZING resource from pinterest.

This fabulous website  lets you use your smart phone to scan the ISBN code (located on the back of books) and will upload all of the information to this website. You can keep track of which books you have, where they are located in your class, and how many copies. It gets even better. Your kiddos can check the books out on the computer. You can decide how many books you will allow students to check out.

The site prints reports too. You can see if students are reading books at their level, what genres they are reading, etc. You can also get your class library evaluated by a book expert based on the age of kids you teach. They will also recommend books to add to your library :)

You can decide what information you would like displayed. I current have title, author, and AR level. This summer my project will be to reorganize my library by genres/book series, etc. Then I will go back and label which basket each book is located in.

I absolutely love the idea of knowing exactly what books I have, how many, who has what, etc. The best thing about it is that it is ABSOLUTELY FREE!!! You can also export your completed library list to excel. I plan on doing this just in case the site gets really popular and decides to charge.

Let me know what you think of this site, and how it works for you :) Happy organizing!!

5 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing!! A few years back I typed all my book titles into an excel spreadsheet. It is a pain to keep up and doesn't let students check the books out. I'm definitely going to try out this app.

    Blackboard and Beyond

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  2. I hope you enjoy this site. Please let me know what you think of it :)

    Thanks for

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  3. Thanks for sharing this website!!! I have struggled for a long time trying to figure out how to handle my library that is just getting larger and larger(which is a good thing!)! I have tried the card check out, but the kids get lazy about writing them down as the year goes on unless I am constantly on top of it. I have started scanning in my books, and I am excited about using it with my kids!! I think the idea of checking out on the computer will excite them! :)
    Have you been using this for long? And how is it working for you?
    Thanks again for sharing!
    Bev

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    1. Hi Bev!!
      I know, isn't this site totally amazing?! It's too good to be kept a secret. When I first found out, I began researching and not many teachers (even teacher bloggers) knew or used this site. I too had the same problem as you with some kids just not being responsible for my books. This keeps them all accountable for what they've borrowed, you can monitor it AND it makes you totally organized!! I'm always trying to borrow books from the library for last minute lessons since I didn't even know what I had in my library..now this is NEVEr a problem.

      I actually just began using it this year, around the time I blogged about it (so not too long). BUT, it was really quick and easy to teach the kids how to use it. They are really on it too with checking their books back in and out.

      What's even better is that you can track and print reports based on what type of books and levels each child is reading. AWESOMENESS!!

      Courtney

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  4. I am in love with this website. Just found it!

    Courtney
    3rd Grade Sprinkles
    courtneyice1@gmail.com

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