Classroom Library Catalog and Inventory

Years ago I decided to organize and catalog my classroom library.  

I use an online system called Library Thing.  

 I enter every book I own into this system and it's super simple!

When I need to add a book to my inventory, 

I can search for the book by title, author, ISBN, LC card number, etc...

You can also tag your books.  I created tags in the system to match the labels I use on the back of each book.  Each of my books has a label and it goes in a tub with a matching label.  For example, all of my Caldecott Honor Books have a Caldecott Honor Label on the back.  They are stored in a book tub with a matching Caldecott Honor Label.

Here is a picture of my book boxes.  It's not a close up, but you can see there is a label on the front of each tub.  The label on each box matches the label on the back of each book in that box.

This makes it easy for my Firsties too.  After they read a book, they know exactly where to return it.

Here is a list of the tags I've created.

I can see books by author's name. 

I can see a list of my books.

I can see a more detailed listing of each book.

When I'm looking for a book all I have to do is sign into Library Thing, type in the author or title and it will show which tub I have it stored in.  No problem!  

I never have trouble finding a book I need. 

For example, I can look for Buzz Boy and Fly Guy and this is what it will pull up. 

Now I know to look in the tub labeled Chapter Books.  

I came across this idea years ago when I was reading Jessica Meacham's site.  She has to be the organizational queen!  If you haven't visited her site, you must!  She shares lots and lots of fabulous ideas!

Library Thing costs $10 a year or $25 for a lifetime membership.
I have a lifetime membership.

It was a lot of work setting up this library system, but it was so worth it!