How To Teach Library Skills That Kids Really Need

Libraries in our schools and communities are a wealth of information, entertainment, and resources. Teaching library skills goes far beyond how to find a book. 

Teaching library skills includes helping kids: 

• Learn how to search various catalogs, databases, and other resources
• How to locate materials in the library or access them digitally
• Develop digital literacy
• Evaluate sources and information
• Follow solid research practices. 

Classroom library ideas: library basics

Start by asking kids what they can find in a library. Point out that every library is different, but many include: 

• Books
• Periodicals (magazines, newspapers, journals) 
• Movies and music 
• Archives (old papers, letters, and other materials perhaps related to the location or a person related to the area)
• Digital materials — including movies, databases, periodical access, archival material, and more
• Classes and other programs 
• Library of things (puzzles, instruments, and more that people can check out to try at home)
• Learning kits on specific subjects

Then ask, what can you use the library for? 

Work together to brainstorm a list. For example: 

• Finding a book for fun
• Research for a school project
• Read the news
• Spend time with friends at a program or in a kid/teen space
• Find a recipe
• Get a movie to watch
• Get help finding information

Point out that librarians can help them make the most of what the library has to offer and to find a book or information they are seeking. 

That said, it’s helpful for students to understand some basics about using the library. If your students don’t know the difference between fiction and nonfiction, help them understand that fiction is made up stories while nonfiction is based on fact or information. 

In the library fiction and nonfiction are divided. Fiction is often alphabetized by author’s last name and nonfiction by subject. 

Demonstrate how to look up a book using the library catalog. Show them that you can look up a particular author, a title, a subject, or keyword. Point out the call number, which will tell them how to find the book if the library has it. 

Show students how to access electronic resources the library has available. Students may need a library card for some of these things. 

Classroom library activities — the basics

• Take a tour of the library. Show students where different materials are located. 
• Give students an author, a title, a subject, and a keyword to search. Have them write down the call number four 4 books they find in their search. Have them locate at least one of the books on the shelf. 
• Create a scavenger hunt. Give students several items to find using the library and the catalog. For example, have them find a nonfiction book about a natural disaster, a book of poetry, a newspaper, a movie, something related to your town, and a book they want to read. 
• Have students find an online resource that connects to a subject you have been studying in class.

Classroom library ideas: using the library across the curriculum 

Students can use the library for research in any subject area. The more you weave library work into your other studies, the more they get to practice using the library for real purposes. 

Librarians can be a great resource. Try to engage with them for your introduction to the library and have them talk to students about the kind of help available to them when they are doing research or looking for a resource. 

Classroom library activities — across the curriculum

• Social studies: Find and read a news story about a current issue. Discuss the issue and the source. Is it reliable? Is there bias? 
• Literacy: Find a book, ebook, or audiobook about a favorite subject. Create a class book recommendations list. Ask if you can share it with other students in the library. 
• Science: Have students find a documentary about a scientist, animals, space, or another science topic you are covering. Discuss how the information agrees with, conflicts with, or adds to other information you have learned. 
• Math: Play a math game available through the library. 
• Interdisciplinary: Have students use print and digital resources for a natural disaster report project. 

For more activities to engage your class, check out the Top Notch Teaching store!