A Young Adult Literature Library Project

One of my projects for 2015 is setting up and establishing a young adult literature library to go along with the already-established children's literature library there. While getting the space and bookcases was quite an undertaking, it was only part of the battle. Right now, my intrepid student assistant and I are in the process of cataloging, marking, and shelving all of my YA books. Here are some of the tools and resources that have been invaluable in this project (which is ongoing):

LibraryThing: I've mentioned my love of LibraryThing before, but it deserves another mention here. Besides letting me enter books so that I can keep up with the titles I have, it also provides a handy resource for students who might want to see the books they can borrow from the library. The tagging and collections features allows me to group books together, which, in turn, allows students to find all of the books that meet their desired criteria. While LibraryThing doesn't have an app that allows users to enter books, you can buy a CueCat scanner, which makes entering books a lot easier. 

Classroom Organizer: In a perfect world, I could check books in and out with LibraryThing. However, since that isn't a viable option, Booksource's Classroom Organizer is a good alternative. After registering for a free account, you can enter books using the Classroom Organizer app. The website and app also allow you to check books out to students, and the settings offer options such as automated email reminders to students about due dates. While the website and app are somewhat clunky and have limited functionality (tagging isn't an option), Classroom Organizer is a solid, free option for keeping track of books that students have borrowed.

Bookplates, stamps, or embossers: Given the number of books that college students have, it can be easy for books to be returned to the wrong place (or to not be returned at all). Noting where the book belongs can help prevent confusion and to provide borrowers with a gentle reminder. This can also be very helpful if a book ends up being returned to the wrong place. Starting out with this project, I used up a set of bookplates that I had purchased several years ago. I also took advantage of a Groupon deal to order a self-inking stamp that could be personalized. If you want something more subtle, an embosser would be a good option.

Once we get the books shelved, I hope to share some pictures. I also plan to do a follow-up post on the suggestions and tips I have for establishing a YA library in your department (or office). In the meantime, please feel free to share your own experiences with similar projects or ask questions!