Get to Know Your Local Library

In today's world of educational funding cuts teachers sometimes have to look for alternate ways to get the materials needed to properly educate and engage their classrooms. A great resource that many teachers often overlook is the local library, either in their own community or in the community they teach in. Libraries are not only a great resource for teachers, but learning about what the library in your school's community has to offer can also help benefit your students. Libraries often have programs for younger children as well as teens and they may even have a teen section. My local East Lansing library has quiet study spaces which could be great for kids who might not be able to concentrate at home, a teen section, a section with books for sale, which are often cheaper than students will find at other bookstores, and literature kits. What are literature kits you ask? Take a gander:

 The East Lansing Public Library has a whole section of Literature Kits. To the right is pictured some of the Lit Kit books. As you can see there are several copies of these books and you can check the kits out and have enough for your class. With a large class you could check out 2 or 3 and have different reading groups in your class.

Besides multiple copies of the book lit kits also have activities and discussion questions for your students, as pictured to the top and right, that you can check out with the books.

Aside from the library itself, librarians can be helpful as well. They can recommend books or tell you about all the features of the library that you may not notice at first glance (for example mine has a 3D printer). They can also tell you about events the library might have or resources such as tutoring programs, after-school programs, etc. If you want to do more for your students with limited financial means, don't hesitate to check out your local library. 

Here's a site to help you find your local library: https://www.worldcat.org/libraries