Keeping Books Visible on Library Shelves

I’m starting a new series based on several of the “ideas that worked” that I’ve previously blogged about, such as Cheap and Easy Library Decorations, our Library Treasure Store program for K-2 students, and the Whole Number Dewey modified library classification for young students. Each post will include an idea that worked in my school library and how it makes my life less stressful, more organized, and/or more manageable.

Today’s idea that worked is:

Use shallow cardboard boxes to keep books forward on library shelves.

How this idea lowers my stress level:

Books pushed back into the shadows of a shelf are one of my librarian pet peeves. Elementary students probably think they’re being helpful when they do this, and I have no desire to spend valuable instruction time teaching them to leave the books where they are.

library books on a bookshelf show pushed all the way back in the before photo, and pulled all the way front in the after photo, with the caption Upgrade Your Shelves.

To keep my sanity, I collect small, shallow boxes and put them behind chapter books so they can’t be pushed back.  So far, I have about 25 shelves completed, and to my eyes it does make the books more visible.  It’s especially helpful for “first chapter books” aka easy readers, fiction novels, and our easy nonfiction books.

I plan to add more boxes as I find or get them until I complete the rest of the first chapter books section and the fiction section. I haven’t compared circulation stats yet, but I’m wondering if they will increase or not with more light shining on the book spines.

Try it out, and see if you like the brighter look of your library shelves!

More ways to upgrade your shelves:

Adding signage is the best “bang for your buck” to make your library easier to use, and to help students find things more independently.

I created these library signs that can be taped to magazine file boxes or slide into clear VHS tape boxes. They instantly make your library more colorful and user-friendly to all visitors. Check them out!

About The Author

34 thoughts on “Keeping Books Visible on Library Shelves”

  1. Awesome idea!! This is my first year in this current library and I have these lovely deep shelves that have been hiding books all year. I never thought about using all those mini-book boxes from the book order or from Amazon. Thank you for sharing!

      1. I’m new but suggested making blocks out of wood to put behind the DVDs in the children’s section, because some get pushed back and get lost until someone cleans up the shelves.(2 DVDs will fit back to back on a shelf, so this is a constant issue) I’m using 2 2×4’s in a lazy L design for the task. Once we’re done with the children’s DVDs, we might go to the easy readers, or adult fiction section.
        I’m making them 5.5 inches long so that we can still have dividers to help hold up the DVDs. That means that we have 6 of these per shelf (3-foot shelf sections). This may be an alternative to the box idea. It’s added expense, but the L formation also helps keep them from being tipped over. Another benefit.

    1. Talk to your secretary and ask them to save the printer’s toner boxes for you. They are long and narrow and work great in my library.

      1. OMGosh! Such an awesome idea! I was already thinking about shoe boxes- but that would work much better! I even thought about spray painting them so they blended in with the back of the shelves. Mary K.

  2. Empty Kleenex boxes. Living in an allergy-ridden area … we have plenty of those. 🙂
    PS Thank you for your comment. I appreciated it!

  3. Awesome, I did this last year in the school library with cardboard too, created a pyramid shape. At the public library where I work they use old DVD cases covered in floral paper.

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    Shelly Pickren

    POOL NOODLES!! Just cut to fit the length of the shelf and slide behind the books. But, before I discovered pool noodles, I purchased a large quantity of boxes to use both behind the books as you suggested, and to turn on end and cover with signage for our Nonfiction shelves. They came flat and we just fold them up as we need them. I just googled boxes and found a company. I believe I spent 60.00 for 100 boxes and it was well worth it!

  5. Love all these ideas…it’s just with so many shelves, that’s a lot of boxes…I may try the noodles if I can still find any!

  6. The books pushed to the back is also my #1 pet peeve! I have tried explaining it to students during orientation that smaller books get hidden. Like you to no avail. I saw your post in the summer and my mom started saving greeting card boxes for me. She sends birthday cards for church members, so she goes through them quickly. Hoping it helps. Thanks for post. I enjoy your blog.

  7. When there was a construction project in the area, I collected the foam strips that were being thrown away. They were about the size of a 2 x 4 and I could easily cut them to length.

  8. I used the boxes from laminate rolls. also, freezer paper boxes and cardboard tubes. I had most of my shelves finished, but now I am starting over in a new library!

  9. Love this idea! I have a new space and new shelving this year and I also have this problem. The kids LOVE to push all of the books back! I will definitely try to do this.

  10. Great use for old plastic VHS tapes, if you still have them! When you discard the VHS tapes, keep the boxes. They also are great for pencil boxes or to hold all kinds of miscellaneous items.

  11. I love your idea! I use small plastic bins/trays from the dollar store instead of cardboard boxes. I learned in pest management training that cardboard and paper boxes may create hiding places for insects. Thanks for the tip!

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    BRENDA L KRASCHEL

    I have actual 2 x 4’s behind the books of some of my shelves. I think I will try the tissue box idea next – it’s more affordable!

  13. I use empty laminating film boxes. They fill the back of the shelves and leave some room at the ends for oversized books.

  14. I have curved shelves. I tried the noodles, but the books just got pushed over them. Now I have baskets behind the books. It works ok but I would love to have a better way to do it. the curve makes it more difficult.

  15. I use rectangular tissue boxes and cover them in wood grain contact paper. They are the perfect size and keep the books exactly where I want them .😍

  16. We are looking at asking for a donation of wood blocks to fit our shelves and have the art class paint them in fund themes or school colors. We will use toner or Kleenex boxes until we get enough wood pieces to fit the shelves.

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