Evaluating Your Library and Book Area
Sherri Meyer, Early Childhood Coordinator
Children of all ages are learning many things through play and interactions with the environment. The
library or book center is an important part of that learning experience. Imagine you are once again a
young child. You like looking at books and having books read to you. This article offers some
suggestions on how to make your library/book center appropriate for preschool age children.
According to the Early Language and Literacy Classroom Observation
(ELLCO) tool, it is suggested that an area be set aside for reading books.
This is important since reading is considered a quiet activity. No other
activities should occur in the area of the classroom where the books are
located. The books should be displayed in such a way that children are able
to choose what book to look at or “read.” Bookshelves on the child’s level
are most appropriate so children are able to make the choice themselves.
The area should be organized and neat to encourage children to spend time
in the book center. This includes teaching children about treating books with
respect and knowing how to place them back on the shelves.
The book center must contain many good books of interest to the children in
your home or classroom. This will vary depending on what the children are
interested in at the time, what season it happens to be, or what stage of
development the children are in. It is vital to the development of the individual children to know what
interests each of them. This means that books cannot remain the same for the entire year. Books need
to be rotated when interests change. Books of high quality are needed in order to meet the needs that
developing children this age require.
According to the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECRS-R), it is also suggested that books
are available in a variety of topics that include, but are not limited to fantasy, factual information, and
stories about people, animals, and science. Books need to be respectful of the variety of cultures found
in the community and in the world. The Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS-R) and the
Family Day Care Environment Rating Scale (FDCRS) discuss how books are to be used with children
every day and that books should be accessible for all children.
All book areas should be inviting for young children. Many book areas contain soft items for children and
adults to sit on or lay on. The Environment Rating Scales and the ELLCO all suggest that pillows,
cushions, soft rugs or carpet, or soft furniture be available for children as they interact with the books and
other materials located in the center such as puppets or dolls.
Evaluating your book area is important since it is the beginning for many children in appreciating the skill
of reading and literature. For a copy of the tools listed in the article, you may call the CCR&R office’s
Resource Lending Library.
References
Harms, T. & Clifford, R. M. (1999). Family Day Care Rating Scale. New York, NY: Teachers College
Press.
Harms, T., Clifford, R. M., & Cryer, D. (1998). Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale Revised
Edition. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.
117 Jones Jaggers Hall 1906 College Heights Blvd #11098 Bowling Green, KY 42101-1098
270-745-2216 or 800-621-5908 Fax: 270-745-7089
Email: ccrr.expert@wku.edu
Web: http://www.wku.edu/ccrr-wku/
Harms, T., Clifford, R. M., & Cryer, D. (2003). Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale Revised Edition.
New York, NY: Teachers College Press.
Smith, M. W., Dickinson, D. K. Ed.D., Sangeorge, A., & Anastasopoulos, L. M.P.P. (2002). Early
Language & Literacy Classroom Observation. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc.
Copyright © 2009 WKU Child Care Resource and Referral
Funded in part by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services through the University of Kentucky Research Foundation.
Equal Education and Employment Opportunities.
117 Jones Jaggers Hall 1906 College Heights Blvd #11098 Bowling Green, KY 42101-1098
270-745-2216 or 800-621-5908 Fax: 270-745-7089
Email: ccrr.expert@wku.edu
Web: http://www.wku.edu/ccrr-wku/