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Oakland Action Team: Building a Library Book by Book Action Team Captains Start a Lending Library in a Housing Complex Imagine trying to do an important school report without a computer or resource books for research? Imagine wanting to read for the fun of it and having only the same books you’ve already read or – even worse – none to choose from? Not everyone has easy access to a neighborhood library or a collection of books at home. But there are solutions. Just ask the Oakland Action Team. In fall 2007, Oakland Action Team Captains from three different schools came together to assist the Lord Tennyson housing complex in creating a lending library for their residence. Lord Tennyson, in Hayward, California, has 252 apartments with over 600 residents – 300 of whom are kids of various ages. The complex is managed by the Volunteers of America National Office. Groups of Action Team volunteers devoted three consecutive Saturdays to complete the task of sorting, categorizing, and shelving the books. Along with a new computer center, the lending library has quickly become a big asset for helping kids with their homework, reports Alicia Schwemer, Director of Development for Volunteers of America Bay Area. 9 Steps to Starting a Small-Space Library Get inspired by the Oakland Action Team and start engineering a similar project where you live. But no need to go “by the book.” Adapt these ideas to work best for you. 1: Investigate Who Needs a Library It might be a homeless shelter that serves families, a local community center, an early childhood center with an after-school program. Or approach a local soup kitchen or a food pantry about setting up a library for children in the same location. After eating or while parents collect food, an inviting library of books can offer children a different kind of nourishment. As part of the arrangement, decide who will maintain the library – personnel at the location or students from your school. 2: Collect Books Hold a book drive at school and in the community. Keep in mind the age of the children who will use the library and aim for a wide assortment of books. Check and repair torn covers or pages on used books, and eliminate older books with dated information, especially nonfiction science and social studies. Also check with local bookstores about donating books and other resources to the library. (Be sure companies that give materials receive plenty of credit, as well as generous local citizens.) 3: Sort the Books Decide on a scheme for organizing the books. You might categorize by picture books, chapter books, and nonfiction; by reading level; by topic (such as animals, nature, family, fantasy). Consult an expert, such as your school librarian, for suggestions on ways to sort the books. 4: Give the Library a Name for Labeling Books Consider dedicating the library to a community member, a national figure, an author, or a favorite book character that is an inspiration to readers. Then label each book as belonging to the _______ Library. You can make your own bookplates using oversized adhesive labels. 5: Plan for a Checkout Process Discuss ways to keep track of the books, and brainstorm with your school librarian for a simple process. It might be a database to create on a computer with the title and author of each book and places to record when the book was checked out, the child’s name, and when it was returned. Or use the honor system, requesting that books be returned when they’ve been read and counting on children and families to do so. 6: Furnish the Space Think about what will make this library inviting and enjoyable for the people it will serve. Consider bookshelves, pillows and beanbag chairs for comfortable reading, and a table and chairs for writing. Spread the word at school and in the community about what’s needed in donated furniture and accessories. In addition, tap student artists to create colorful murals or banners to decorate the space. 7: Shelve Those Books Plan for setup time after school or on weekends. Shelve and label the books according to the categories you chose, arrange the furniture – and get ready for the grand opening! 8: Welcome to the Library Work with personnel at the library location to hold a “grand opening” event. Invite families who will use the library to announce its presence. If you have dedicated the library to a local citizen, invite the person as the guest of honor. And be sure to alert the local media to attend. 9: Keep It Going If students have committed to helping maintain the library, coordinate with the personnel who work where it is based to agree on a schedule. Even if the location staff will run the library, look for ways to stay involved, such as holding a yearly book drive to keep the library updated.
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