Our terrific new Library Technology Teacher, Jean Robinson, would like to hear about how you do your book fairs. What vendor do you use? Are there any tips and good advice that you can offer to make busy, busy book fairs more manageable?
We run 3 bookfairs each year. Here are my thoughts about each. Fall Bookfair, done at the same time as Fall SEPs. I use The Story Cupboard - a local company, full price bookfair with 20% cash to the sponsoring organization (more if you take your profit in books from them). As I said, they are a local company, based solely here in Salt Lake City. These folks have a large selection - perhaps a little strong on the Fantasy fiction - of the newest books out, but titles are well chosen and service is great. They are willing to come preview the bookfair offerings with your classes, to help with set-up, take-down, and customer service during the fair. Holiday selection is wonderfull. Winter Bookfair held in conjuntion with the Winter SEPs. I use A+ Bookfairs, BOGO (Buy One, Get One Free). They are a regional company (Arizona & Utah). Because this is a BOGA fair, the titles are from publisher's discounted stock - the back, back, wayback list. Delivery, re-stock, and Pickup service is good but you will be pretty much on your own during the fair. They do provide same day, or next day re-stocking, and have a lot of cheap books for a couple of dollars, as well as toys, pencils, erasers, etc. Minimal amout ($100 - $200) to the sponsoring organization. End of Year Bookfair held the week before Memorial Day - Scholastic Warehouse Clearance BOGO. I do no restocking - what is out is what there is. This basically is just what the title says - warehouse clearance. The rest is about the same as the Winter Bookfair. I also know that Weller Bookworks has done bookfairs in the past, I don't know if they still do. Barnes and Noble has done school promotions, where purchases made in the store during a week are credited to the school (If the buyers identify the school) and you get a certain percentage. Our bookfairs are run by the school library, are housed in the library, and benefit the library budget. But I rely very heavily on the PTA for support, and try to give each volunteer a reward - Teacher's discount or other reward - for helping.
One question I have is do you "close" the library during the book fair? I will be setting up the fair in the library which I am thinking will make use of the library rather difficult. I still want the students to check out books and then preview the books in the carts, but I am struggling with having good teachable times with all the book fair "stuff" in the library. Please let me know how some of you work around/with the confusion.
Good Questions! It is all about survival! I do hold classes because the library is very important for teacher collaboration. Here is my survival list.
1. I read stories from the book fair, and talk to students about keeping the book fair books tidy and in place. I get them ready for browsing the fair. This is when I give my respect the books and fair talk.
2. I let them browse and read for the rest of the time. If I am loosing my mind, I start the freeze and read. Students have to find an area to freeze and read. Quiet is what I am looking for here. I might let them switch books, but in small groups only. (white shirts, blue shirts, or something that keeps the group small.
3. I do not checkout books for Kinder and 1st because they always want to checkout a book fair book. I might even expand the no checkout to other grades if my sanity is in question.
4. I make numbered tickets for before school and after school rush. I only allow 25-30 kids in at a time if they are not with a parent.
Book fair is a crazy time no matter what you do. Good Luck
Try to get the PTA involved as much as possible. I do check out while I am having the fair and it is crazy. I do not let students in if they do not have an adult with them. Yes, I lose sales on this but do it that way for my sanity. I like A+ books because they set up the fair for me and they are located in North Salt Lake near my school. The best advice I can give is keep it simple. If the book fair people give you a bunch of things to sell that are not books don't put them out. Do have some trinkets out for those students that do not have enough money to buy a book. I like to have students write their name down if they came to visit me at the fair even if they do not buy a book. Then I put their names in a drawing and give those students books from the fair. I watch to see what is selling best and I pull those books out for the drawing.
Last year was my first year, so I am still forming my opinions/plans. Last year I used Storycupboard for the fall and Scholastic for the Spring. I still have almost all the classes attend at their normal library time (and squeeze in those that would miss due to the half days we have that week). I use the first half of class to preview my favorite books for their age group. However, I try to only preview books I am going to add to the collection. I feel like this is a better use of my time -since they will be library books and its fairer to those students who can't purchase books. The last half the younger students get to look with their eyes only. The older students can make a 'wish list', but don't get to take it home. I put the wish lists in alphabetical piles they can access later when they come back with parents. The PTA requests volunteers for me. But in turn I volunteer at all of their events. I like the little toys, they make those students who can't afford a book feel included. Both providers I used last year had pluses and minuses. I love Sarah from the story cupboard, she carefully chooses the books and brings in a guest author. But I found her assistant, who is around a lot, not to be very nice to be around. Scholastic was way more profitable, but I bought everything I want from their very limited catalog. I am going to use Storycupboard again for this fall (next week!) and I am thinking of trying A+ for Spring, but I can't get the rep to respond to my emails, which is worrisome. I love the bookfairs for a change of pace and to add to the collection with a discount. It also gives me a chance to get to know the parent community, which I think is really important. Last year netted me some great stuff for library like: cash, tons of books, decorations, tons of furniture, and more! Additionally many students/parents bought books to donate to their classrooms, which is awesome as well! Tiring but fun!! Feel free to email me if you have more questions!
Jean, it is about keeping you sanity. The area I use for the bookfair is the same as I use for research classes, so I do not have my research classes during those days, However, I am able to separate the bookfair area from the library collection and the reading area - in fact I use the book fair cases to create a walled of area, so I do have library classes during the book fair. I have stressed over the years that classes are to come in for library only, the book fair is not open during school hours - only before, after, and during SEP's. And I have teachers who support me, because they feel it is important to hold book fairs that provide books for kids. I stress to the students that if they want to have book fairs, they are responsible to make sure the rules are followed, and that library and book fair books are not mixed up. They come in as a class, sit in the story area for a story, get a library book off the shelf, and may browse the bookfair with their eyes, but not put down their library book or pick up any of the bookfair books, check out their book, and return to class. They may come when the book fair is open to do more through browsing. I do not limit the # or insist that kids be accompanied by parents, but I have PTA help that roves through the fair, and I do ask students who get too noisy or are playing around to leave. I also insist that backpacks and coats are left outside the doors, and I have a PTA person at the door to give everybody a squirt of hand sanitizer when they come in, and to be sure they have paid for items before they leave. So - it can be crazy before the bell rings, and after school for a little bit, but we manage. I usually do the money, since I know the students names and can write them down - the Accounting people insist that every purchase be recorded with name and amount (I don't think they ever worked a book fair with 50 kids trying to make their purchase and get to class), but sometimes I have a trusted parent to help. And the kids are pretty good about it too. Check out the Story Cupboard. As I said, no discounted special deals (though you could give your 20% profit to the customers if you didn't want the money for the library), but their selection is usually pretty spot on, and the customer service is great.
I love the book fair! SEPs are a time when the whole community gathers in the school and having a bookfair means the library is a centeral gathering place for neighbors to visit and kids to wait while parents are at other conferences. It helps me connect with the teachers too, the first time I did not do a book fair, I felt disconnected, out of step and like I didn't earn the comp day. This way I am right in the thick of things. I use the Stroy Cupboard because they have great books, different from the class orders that Scholastic seems to have in their book fairs. I work hard and long hours so I give myself a break and do not have regular classes, there just isn't time and my sanity is important. I find I don't sell much when I am cranky and rude either. On Monday next week the bookfair is set up and the company rep gives the book talks by grade level. 'Tuesday all classes have a browse time to look at all the books and make a wish list - I emphasis wish, I does not mean they will get all or any of the books. But it is a reminder to parents to drop by the bookfair! Weds. and Thurs are short days and the book fair is open to parents durring the day. Some teachers have subs and hold conferences (like the K teacher who has 75 families to meet with and the large classes that ask the principal for help) on Weds. and Thurs. Friday is clean up. I have parents help set up, clean up and afterschool. I stay each night since we have a flexible arrangement for conferences all week. I think the effort is worth it and I earn alot of money and/or books for our school.
I agree, it is a lot of work, but it is fun and helps me to feel connected. I try to do library, book fair, and any other activity that helps the library be an important part of the school, and the parent's and student's educational experience - within the limits of sanity. The students help to move the tables and chairs around, the PTA helps with the set-up, staffing, and takedown, the teachers make wish lists, I still hold regular library & try to make special times for those who miss because of SEPs. And we all collapse the day after it is done. IF you are a "people person" it is great. Remember: MADNESS IS NOT A HOWL IN THE DARKNESS - IT IS A LITTLE VOICE IN YOUR HEAD ASKING "IS ROOM FOR ONE MORE?".
I have LA classes visit the book fair before our official opening so they can browse. The PTA runs the cash machine before school, during lunch, and at Back-to-School night while I talk to kids and parents and monitor behavior. The set-up is in the library but is moved to the mezzanine for the parents' during BSN. It's all hectic, but I like it and it's helped me hone my car sales pitch for retirement.
Jean, Book fairs can be great or a real pain. We do a Grandparent day with one of ours each year. We schedule the week of SEP's so the library schedule is already messed up. I close the library to classes that week since our fair covers every available inch. I use Story Cupboard too. Sarah is the best, so knowledgeable and helpful. On Grandparent day we invited the grandparents to eat lunch with their grandkids and then shop the book fair. It is an obvious way to increase our sales. What grandparent denies their grandkid a book? Good luck with your fair. If you don't want to do an actual physical fair you might look into Bound to Stay Bound's SOS Library program. It is like an online book fair. I did it last year and raised a little more than $300. The advantage is you never handle the money, you don't disrupt the schedule, the books arrive processed and shelf ready, and bound to stay bound books are great.
We use Scholastic and have been very happy. I have a wonderful PTA that help organize the book fair. I take care of promoting it in school and they take care of the rest. I show the video that comes with scholatic previewing books the week before the fair. The week of the book fair I schedule classes to come to the library and I read books from the bookfair and each student gets a wish list and they browse the fair and write down books they wish they could buy or wish I would buy for the library. Book fair takes a lot of time but I'm happy to do it because it gives our library so much extra money.
It's really hard to hold a book fair in a middle school, so we've only had one or two. The PTSA was always in charge and I didn't have much to do with it.
We have no PTA and so I do the whole thing. I have enlisted the help of the 6th grade students. They help with set up and take down as well as security, and cashiers. I have them sign up for a time to help and use four or five of them during the big rush right after school. They love it and feel important. They get to put their names in the drawing two extra times. I couldn't do it without their help.
Thank you all for your suggestions. So far the book fair is going well. I don't like that many of the students choose to use their money for the junkie trinkets though. I have been previewing some of the "special value" books in hopes that that will make a difference. Thank you all again.
We run 3 bookfairs each year. Here are my thoughts about each.
ReplyDeleteFall Bookfair, done at the same time as Fall SEPs. I use The Story Cupboard - a local company, full price bookfair with 20% cash to the sponsoring organization (more if you take your profit in books from them). As I said, they are a local company, based solely here in Salt Lake City. These folks have a large selection - perhaps a little strong on the Fantasy fiction - of the newest books out, but titles are well chosen and service is great. They are willing to come preview the bookfair offerings with your classes, to help with set-up, take-down, and customer service during the fair. Holiday selection is wonderfull.
Winter Bookfair held in conjuntion with the Winter SEPs. I use A+ Bookfairs, BOGO (Buy One, Get One Free). They are a regional company (Arizona & Utah). Because this is a BOGA fair, the titles are from publisher's discounted stock - the back, back, wayback list. Delivery, re-stock, and Pickup service is good but you will be pretty much on your own during the fair. They do provide same day, or next day re-stocking, and have a lot of cheap books for a couple of dollars, as well as toys, pencils, erasers, etc. Minimal amout ($100 - $200) to the sponsoring organization.
End of Year Bookfair held the week before Memorial Day - Scholastic Warehouse Clearance BOGO. I do no restocking - what is out is what there is. This basically is just what the title says - warehouse clearance. The rest is about the same as the Winter Bookfair.
I also know that Weller Bookworks has done bookfairs in the past, I don't know if they still do. Barnes and Noble has done school promotions, where purchases made in the store during a week are credited to the school (If the buyers identify the school) and you get a certain percentage.
Our bookfairs are run by the school library, are housed in the library, and benefit the library budget. But I rely very heavily on the PTA for support, and try to give each volunteer a reward - Teacher's discount or other reward - for helping.
One question I have is do you "close" the library during the book fair? I will be setting up the fair in the library which I am thinking will make use of the library rather difficult. I still want the students to check out books and then preview the books in the carts, but I am struggling with having good teachable times with all the book fair "stuff" in the library. Please let me know how some of you work around/with the confusion.
ReplyDeleteGood Questions! It is all about survival! I do hold classes because the library is very important for teacher collaboration. Here is my survival list.
ReplyDelete1. I read stories from the book fair, and talk to students about keeping the book fair books tidy and in place. I get them ready for browsing the fair. This is when I give my respect the books and fair talk.
2. I let them browse and read for the rest of the time. If I am loosing my mind, I start the freeze and read. Students have to find an area to freeze and read. Quiet is what I am looking for here. I might let them switch books, but in small groups only. (white shirts, blue shirts, or something that keeps the group small.
3. I do not checkout books for Kinder and 1st because they always want to checkout a book fair book. I might even expand the no checkout to other grades if my sanity is in question.
4. I make numbered tickets for before school and after school rush. I only allow 25-30 kids in at a time if they are not with a parent.
Book fair is a crazy time no matter what you do. Good Luck
Try to get the PTA involved as much as possible. I do check out while I am having the fair and it is crazy. I do not let students in if they do not have an adult with them. Yes, I lose sales on this but do it that way for my sanity. I like A+ books because they set up the fair for me and they are located in North Salt Lake near my school. The best advice I can give is keep it simple. If the book fair people give you a bunch of things to sell that are not books don't put them out. Do have some trinkets out for those students that do not have enough money to buy a book. I like to have students write their name down if they came to visit me at the fair even if they do not buy a book. Then I put their names in a drawing and give those students books from the fair. I watch to see what is selling best and I pull those books out for the drawing.
ReplyDeleteI can honestly say that I do not miss doing Book Fairs. Sorry, Jean.
ReplyDeleteJean,
ReplyDeleteLast year was my first year, so I am still forming my opinions/plans. Last year I used Storycupboard for the fall and Scholastic for the Spring. I still have almost all the classes attend at their normal library time (and squeeze in those that would miss due to the half days we have that week). I use the first half of class to preview my favorite books for their age group. However, I try to only preview books I am going to add to the collection. I feel like this is a better use of my time -since they will be library books and its fairer to those students who can't purchase books. The last half the younger students get to look with their eyes only. The older students can make a 'wish list', but don't get to take it home. I put the wish lists in alphabetical piles they can access later when they come back with parents.
The PTA requests volunteers for me. But in turn I volunteer at all of their events.
I like the little toys, they make those students who can't afford a book feel included.
Both providers I used last year had pluses and minuses. I love Sarah from the story cupboard, she carefully chooses the books and brings in a guest author. But I found her assistant, who is around a lot, not to be very nice to be around. Scholastic was way more profitable, but I bought everything I want from their very limited catalog.
I am going to use Storycupboard again for this fall (next week!) and I am thinking of trying A+ for Spring, but I can't get the rep to respond to my emails, which is worrisome.
I love the bookfairs for a change of pace and to add to the collection with a discount. It also gives me a chance to get to know the parent community, which I think is really important.
Last year netted me some great stuff for library like: cash, tons of books, decorations, tons of furniture, and more!
Additionally many students/parents bought books to donate to their classrooms, which is awesome as well!
Tiring but fun!! Feel free to email me if you have more questions!
Jean,
ReplyDeleteit is about keeping you sanity. The area I use for the bookfair is the same as I use for research classes, so I do not have my research classes during those days, However, I am able to separate the bookfair area from the library collection and the reading area - in fact I use the book fair cases to create a walled of area, so I do have library classes during the book fair. I have stressed over the years that classes are to come in for library only, the book fair is not open during school hours - only before, after, and during SEP's. And I have teachers who support me, because they feel it is important to hold book fairs that provide books for kids. I stress to the students that if they want to have book fairs, they are responsible to make sure the rules are followed, and that library and book fair books are not mixed up. They come in as a class, sit in the story area for a story, get a library book off the shelf, and may browse the bookfair with their eyes, but not put down their library book or pick up any of the bookfair books, check out their book, and return to class. They may come when the book fair is open to do more through browsing. I do not limit the # or insist that kids be accompanied by parents, but I have PTA help that roves through the fair, and I do ask students who get too noisy or are playing around to leave. I also insist that backpacks and coats are left outside the doors, and I have a PTA person at the door to give everybody a squirt of hand sanitizer when they come in, and to be sure they have paid for items before they leave. So - it can be crazy before the bell rings, and after school for a little bit, but we manage. I usually do the money, since I know the students names and can write them down - the Accounting people insist that every purchase be recorded with name and amount (I don't think they ever worked a book fair with 50 kids trying to make their purchase and get to class), but sometimes I have a trusted parent to help. And the kids are pretty good about it too.
Check out the Story Cupboard. As I said, no discounted special deals (though you could give your 20% profit to the customers if you didn't want the money for the library), but their selection is usually pretty spot on, and the customer service is great.
I love the book fair! SEPs are a time when the whole community gathers in the school and having a bookfair means the library is a centeral gathering place for neighbors to visit and kids to wait while parents are at other conferences. It helps me connect with the teachers too, the first time I did not do a book fair, I felt disconnected, out of step and like I didn't earn the comp day. This way I am right in the thick of things.
ReplyDeleteI use the Stroy Cupboard because they have great books, different from the class orders that Scholastic seems to have in their book fairs. I work hard and long hours so I give myself a break and do not have regular classes, there just isn't time and my sanity is important. I find I don't sell much when I am cranky and rude either. On Monday next week the bookfair is set up and the company rep gives the book talks by grade level. 'Tuesday all classes have a browse time to look at all the books and make a wish list - I emphasis wish, I does not mean they will get all or any of the books. But it is a reminder to parents to drop by the bookfair! Weds. and Thurs are short days and the book fair is open to parents durring the day. Some teachers have subs and hold conferences (like the K teacher who has 75 families to meet with and the large classes that ask the principal for help) on Weds. and Thurs. Friday is clean up. I have parents help set up, clean up and afterschool. I stay each night since we have a flexible arrangement for conferences all week. I think the effort is worth it and I earn alot of money and/or books for our school.
I agree, it is a lot of work, but it is fun and helps me to feel connected. I try to do library, book fair, and any other activity that helps the library be an important part of the school, and the parent's and student's educational experience - within the limits of sanity. The students help to move the tables and chairs around, the PTA helps with the set-up, staffing, and takedown, the teachers make wish lists, I still hold regular library & try to make special times for those who miss because of SEPs. And we all collapse the day after it is done. IF you are a "people person" it is great. Remember: MADNESS IS NOT A HOWL IN THE DARKNESS - IT IS A LITTLE VOICE IN YOUR HEAD ASKING "IS ROOM FOR ONE MORE?".
DeleteI have LA classes visit the book fair before our official opening so they can browse. The PTA runs the cash machine before school, during lunch, and at Back-to-School night while I talk to kids and parents and monitor behavior. The set-up is in the library but is moved to the mezzanine for the parents' during BSN. It's all hectic, but I like it and it's helped me hone my car sales pitch for retirement.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have much of a PTA, so we don't have book fairs, since I can't manage one all by myself. Too many book theives.
ReplyDeleteJean, Book fairs can be great or a real pain. We do a Grandparent day with one of ours each year. We schedule the week of SEP's so the library schedule is already messed up. I close the library to classes that week since our fair covers every available inch. I use Story Cupboard too. Sarah is the best, so knowledgeable and helpful. On Grandparent day we invited the grandparents to eat lunch with their grandkids and then shop the book fair. It is an obvious way to increase our sales. What grandparent denies their grandkid a book? Good luck with your fair. If you don't want to do an actual physical fair you might look into Bound to Stay Bound's SOS Library program. It is like an online book fair. I did it last year and raised a little more than $300. The advantage is you never handle the money, you don't disrupt the schedule, the books arrive processed and shelf ready, and bound to stay bound books are great.
ReplyDeleteWe use Scholastic and have been very happy. I have a wonderful PTA that help organize the book fair. I take care of promoting it in school and they take care of the rest. I show the video that comes with scholatic previewing books the week before the fair. The week of the book fair I schedule classes to come to the library and I read books from the bookfair and each student gets a wish list and they browse the fair and write down books they wish they could buy or wish I would buy for the library. Book fair takes a lot of time but I'm happy to do it because it gives our library so much extra money.
ReplyDeleteIt's really hard to hold a book fair in a middle school, so we've only had one or two. The PTSA was always in charge and I didn't have much to do with it.
ReplyDeleteWe have no PTA and so I do the whole thing. I have enlisted the help of the 6th grade students. They help with set up and take down as well as security, and cashiers. I have them sign up for a time to help and use four or five of them during the big rush right after school. They love it and feel important. They get to put their names in the drawing two extra times. I couldn't do it without their help.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your suggestions. So far the book fair is going well. I don't like that many of the students choose to use their money for the junkie trinkets though. I have been previewing some of the "special value" books in hopes that that will make a difference. Thank you all again.
ReplyDelete