Inventory + reorganizing = one completely exhausted librarian. 😅

When I first started in my K–6 library, I organized books by AR level. At the time, I knew this was the best way to help students find just-right books. It seemed logical, neat, and very color-coded.

But after a while, I noticed something… students weren’t really browsing. They were laser-focused on their “color” and ignoring everything else. Amazing books were being completely overlooked just because they didn’t match the level they thought they had to stay in. That’s when I knew it was time for a change.

Calling in Reinforcements

I kicked off this grand reorganization adventure by recruiting some awesome 6th graders. (Honestly, every big library project needs enthusiastic helpers!)

We wrote each letter of the alphabet on sticky notes and lined them up across the tables. Starting with the picture books, students pulled books from the shelves and sorted them under the correct letter.

And then I heard the magic words:
“I never saw all these books before.”

That’s when I knew we were on the right track.

Inventory = Reality Check

Doing inventory was a serious eye-opener. I created 13 separate inventories so I could really see what was going on in each section:

• Easy

• Fiction

• Biography

• 000–099

• 100–199

• 200–299

• 300–399

• 400–499

• 500–599

• 600–699

• 700–799

• 800–899

• 900–999

Looking through the reports felt like stepping into a time machine. Some books hadn’t been seen since 2003. Yes… 2003. I think it’s safe to say those books are not coming back. Ever.

So, I marked them as lost and removed the records. It was incredibly satisfying to clean up the catalog and make it reflect what was actually on the shelves.

The Great Weeding Project

Weeding a library is a lot like cleaning out your closet.

If you haven’t worn those shoes in years, they’re probably not your go-to anymore. The same goes for books. When shelves get overcrowded, it’s harder for students to spot the titles they’ll truly love.

So I started weeding early in the year:

• Books that were falling apart

• Outdated books

• Books that hadn’t been checked out in 10 years

Out they went.

And here’s the funny part—students were thrilled to take some of those discarded books home. Nothing makes a book happier than getting a second life!

The Result? A Fresh Start.

I know the statistics of how much was removed might sound a little shocking. But the difference is huge. The shelves look cleaner, the collection feels more inviting, and students can actually see the great books waiting for them.

And now? They’re exploring more, discovering more, and not just sticking to a color label.

Totally worth the exhaustion. 💛