School libraries are becoming a bit rarer these days, which makes them all the more precious. Treasure yours by filling it with motivating words and artwork that draw young readers in to explore. These inspirational school libraries will give you some ideas to fit pretty much any budget. Go ahead, build a literary wonderland!
1. Create Book Smiles
These 3-D books pack a big pop! You could easily replicate this idea using poster board and styrofoam.
Source: Janice Davis/Coroflot
2. Imagine It All
The closer you look, the more you spot the amazing details in this awesome mural. Be sure to visit the link for close-up shots and in-progress photos.
Source: A Girl and a Glue Gun
3. Find the Magic
Dr. Seuss is a big part of school libraries, so a mural like this will really connect with kids. After all, books really are magic!
Source: Lola Murals
4. Books Open Doors
You may not have the resources to recreate the dimensional details of this incredible library, but you could definitely paint walls (and steps!) to look like book spines.
Source: OUP Libraries/Twitter
5. Inspire Tomorrow’s Leaders
What a great sentiment! There are plenty of creative ways to display this message in school libraries.
Source: Classroom Pinspirations/Instagram
6. Reading is the Ticket
Children’s book characters riding a roller coaster together? Genius! This is one amusement park every kid will want to visit.
Source: Janice Davis/Coroflot
7. Books Are Friends
What young reader wouldn’t want to join their favorite characters on this bench? (Save us the seat next to Pooh Bear!)
Source: Settlers Primary School Library Mural/Behance
8. Explore Between the Covers
Open a book, and you open up the world. (5th graders helped create this one… how cool!)
Source: Erica Jones
9. Letters Are the Building Blocks
Letters make up the books that fill school libraries. This alphabet display from found materials is a terrific upcycling project.
Source: Risk to Learn
10. Follow the Wild Things
We love an idea that works shelving right into the design! You can buy this decal at the link below or tap a talented local artist to paint something similar.
Source: Designer Playground
11. Put On a Show
This is the stuff school library dreams are made of! If a full-blown house is out of reach, have students create one from cardboard boxes instead.
Source: American Libraries Magazine
12. Use Your Words
If you’ve got a Cricut or other die-cut machine, you can definitely make this one happen! Have students help you brainstorm the word list for a fun cooperative project.
Source: Lyndsey Kuster
13. Go Into the Woods
Transform a corner of your library into a cool leafy glade. You can find mushroom stools for sale, but it’s also surprisingly easy to whip up your own.
Source: The Guardian
14. Travel to Fictional Worlds
Whole school idea: Each class designs and creates their own directional arrow to add to this fictional wayfinding sign.
Source: Mira Costa High Library/Flickr
15. Reading is Terrific
Every school library has room in a corner for this simple, subtle design. (Love Charlotte’s Web? Get more fun classroom ideas here.)
Source: A Girl and a Glue Gun
16. Library Of Dreams
We simply had to include this drool-worthy library design. The incredible details and that fantastic tree have us wishing we could visit it for storytime every single day.
Source: CajunKev/Flickr
Want to make the most of your book collection? Check out these 30 Tips for Setting up an Inspired, Organized Classroom Library.
Plus, Little Free Library Ideas for Schools and Playgrounds.
