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.
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.
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!
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.
5. Inspire Tomorrow’s Leaders
What a great sentiment! There are plenty of creative ways to display this message in school libraries.
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.
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!)
8. Explore Between the Covers
Open a book, and you open up the world. (5th graders helped create this one… how cool!)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
14. Travel to Fictional Worlds
Whole school idea: Each class designs and creates their own directional arrow to add to this fictional wayfinding sign.
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.)
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.
