Powerful, not Perfect: Making the most of the school library you have.

As the school year begins, it's hard not to compare our own libraries with those we see as we scroll Instagram or Pinterest searching for the newest book releases, creative displays, and engaging lesson ideas. It's easy to let that comparison steal your joy when your space may only be a few shelves in the corner of a classroom, or a rolling book cart that lives in a hallway.

However, let us here at Storyglory remind you: your school library does not have to be perfect to be powerful!

Start with the books.

The most important ingredient in a powerful school library is, of course, books! The goal isn't to fill your shelves full of books that students aren't interested in. What matters is having a thoughtfully curated collection of titles that students, and teachers, are excited to pick up!

At Storyglory, we are constantly communicating with leading publishers and keeping our eyes on new releases as well as beloved classics. Even if you aren't purchasing from our site, it can be a helpful resource as you discover titles to consider for your own shelves.

Even a rolling book cart can be a powerful library.

Make the experience welcoming.

The atmosphere surrounding the library and check-out experience matters, too. Even if your space is small, a friendly smile and warm greeting as you roll the book cart around for students to browse can have a far greater impact than a cold, spacious room where children don't feel welcome.

A well-timed book recommendation or conversation about a student's recent reads can go much further in helping a child discover their next favorite book than an elaborate display with little student engagement.

Focus on impact.

Your school library doesn't have to be grandiose. It just needs to be a place where a student discovers a book they can't put down or finds a story that feels like it was written just for them. It can be a place where students are encouraged on their reading journey, even if that journey begins with just a handful of shelves. Impact is not determined by its size, budget, furniture, or how well it looks in photographs.

Think about what you've read and enjoyed over the summer that you can share with your students. Or, perhaps what your own children or students you know have enjoyed recently. If I were returning to my school library this fall, I would make sure to share my 12-year-old daughter's newfound love of The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen with my students. The Ascendance Series is currently being flown through by her circle of friends! My 7-year-old boy was enthralled by all of the World Cup festivities over the summer, and he enjoyed me reading aloud The Academy by T.Z. Layton. This book may be the perfect hook for the soccer-loving middle schooler looking to lose himself in a sports adventure.

Try not to put pressure on yourself to build the perfect school library this school year. Instead, ask yourself: What is the next great title to add to our collection? What genre could we highlight next? What might help one more student discover a love of reading?

Start right where you are, with what you have. Build your library slowly and meaningfully, celebrating your readers along the way. Remember, Storyglory Kids is here to help you build a strong reading culture at your school, one book and one reader at a time.