• Utilize and remind staff of free resources or resources you already have. Examples: The Accelerated Reader program includes teaching materials. Promote STEM resources you already own. Here is an Online Literacy and Research Sources presentation I shared with staff at my school. I also include links to these resources and instructions for using them on the library website.
  • State library databases and ebooks
  • Public library - include link to their OPAC. Books, movies, ebooks, etc.
  • Leverage your Scholastic Book Fair profits. We get multiple copies of nearly all the WAW books each year. Other popular titles: Magic Tree House, Wimpy Kid, Riordan, Pete the Cat. Lots of STEM / Makerspace materials and student prizes (pencils, bracelets) available. If possible, take all profit in Scholastic Dollars. Order from their online store.
    • Other ways we maximize our book fair: PTO pays for each preschooler to take a “field trip” to the book fair and purchase a book to take home. PTO also pays for book fair gift certificates for our top WAW readers.
    • Classroom wish lists -- we used to do these on paper, but we now give each teacher a bin on a cart and the teachers put copies of the books in the bin. We have seen a huge increase in teacher wish list purchases. In addition, when the fair is over, teachers will often come purchase something out of their bin that they didn’t receive as a gift. I wait and pack the wish list bins last because there are always last-minute purchases.
    • Teachers purchase multiple copy books for reading groups from book fair, so our library earns the profits.
    • Personally invite your local public librarian, homeschool groups, nearby college education departments, and any other interested parties to shop at your book fair.
  • If you are purchasing books for teachers to use with a classroom project, could funding come from teaching supplies or the classroom budget?
  • Discount book sources:
    • Thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales, used book stores, used books on Amazon
    • Paperback Swap
    • Thriftbooks.com - YA books as low as $3.59 and free shipping over $10
    • Especially good for out-of-print or hard-to-find books including textbooks: Alibris, Abebooks
Photo from marcoverch