Library Book Round Up

Are you ready for the end-of-year library book round-up? It’s almost time to get all those books back in the barn on the shelves and ready for another year of learning. Wrangling books from hundreds of students can feel like herding cats — but with the right incentives, you can make this annual event something students and teachers actually look forward to. I’ve lassoed five great ideas to make this round-up more fun and motivating for your whole school!

Give Students Their Library Card

As you know, I use a punch card system in our school library. Students earn a punch or stamp each week when they return or recheck their books. When they reach the star, they get to visit the treasure box for a pencil, eraser, or bookmark.

When students reach the very last star, they earn one final treasure box visit — and then I hand them their completed card with a big emoji sticker to put on it! A roll of big stickers is inexpensive, but they have a big impact when students earn them with their responsible book returns. Students absolutely love keeping their cards as a souvenir of the school year, and if they have no late or overdue books all year long, they get to keep it as a badge of honor. That little card tells a whole year’s story!

Give Students A String

In March, storyteller Sue Kuentz visited us and used a cat’s cradle string to bring her stories to life. My students had never seen one before and were completely mesmerized! So here’s my plan: when students turn in all their library books at the end of the year, I’ll reward them with a loop of yarn to take home.

I’ve picked up yarn from Walmart and will cut yard-long loops in fun colors for students to choose from. I’ll also print a QR code linking to this step-by-step video playlist, so they can follow along on one of our iPad minis and learn tricks right in the library. Think of it as a little “string makerspace” to enjoy during those last, looser weeks of school. It’s low-cost, screen-light, and surprisingly magical — even for older kids!

I’ll print out a QR code for this video playlist, which shows many step-by-step string tricks. Our students can watch the videos on one of our iPad minis, and follow along with their own yarn loop. I know they’ll enjoy doing this “string makerspace” for the last few weeks of school!

Give Students a Game

I can’t remember where I saw this to give credit, but one librarian suggested putting up a poster of Darth Vader (or another bad guy), and giving students a stickerI can’t remember where I first saw this idea, but one creative librarian suggested putting up a large poster of Darth Vader (or your school’s favorite villain), then giving students a sticker to place on the poster when they return their last book. The goal? Defeat the bad guy by covering him completely with stickers. Students go wild for it!

You can also try a collaborative building challenge: give each student a plastic cup or a LEGO brick to add to a growing group structure when they return their final book. Watch the creation grow taller and more impressive every day — it’s a powerful visual reminder of what the whole school can accomplish together. Teamwork makes the dream work, partner!

Give Students a Ticket

Students who return all their books get a ticket for a prize drawing. Prizes can include books, book fair posters, lunch in the library, or coveted spots as library or morning announcements helpers. Just buy a roll of tickets at Walmart, have students write their name and teacher on the back, and you’re off to the races — easy peasy! Bonus tip from the I’ve Got Class Blog: use a free-standing toilet paper roll holder as a ticket dispenser. Genius!

Give Teachers a Prize

A huge thank-you to Wendy Howk for sharing this gem in our Learning Librarians Facebook group! When every single student in a class has returned their books, reward that teacher with a gift of time — a 30–45 minute library visit where their students enjoy makerspaces, reading, or computer time while the teacher catches up on year-end tasks. Trust me, this will light a fire under your teachers to help you get every last book back in the saddle.

No room in your schedule for extra visits? No problem! Recognize those trailblazing teachers on a poster, bulletin board, or morning announcements. They’re tired and stretched thin too — a little public appreciation goes a long way at this time of year.

If you don’t have time in your schedule for extra class visits, you can at least recognize those teachers on a poster, bulletin board, and/or morning announcements. They’re tired too, and when they help you get all those books returned, the recognition will be a great pick-me-up for them!

What about you, Pardner?

Do you have a creative way to wrangle books back at the end of the year? Every library trail is a little different, and I’d love to hear what’s working on yours. Drop your best round-up idea in the comments below — this community is the best posse around! 🤠