We are a house of readers and we love to go to the library but we use to have trouble keeping track of all the library books, school library books and church library books coming into the house. We’d forget which ones we had borrowed and how many and then somehow they’d get “lost” in the kids rooms never to be seen again. So what I did to help solve this problem was put a “library” basket in the living room.
All books coming into the house that must eventually go back out are to be left in this basket. The kids can each take one book out of the basket at a time and as soon as they are finished with it they are to put it back into the basket. This keeps the books all in one place and when we are heading out the door to go to the library it’s easy to round all the books up and doesn’t take us forever like it use to. The other library rule that helps to further enforce the use of the “library” basket is that the kids are responsible for any library fines on the books they take out. What a difference it makes when it’s their money on the line!
Look no further than Shannon’s over at Rocks in My Dryer for plenty more tips and tricks from mom’s everywhere.
Jenny says
Nice basket! We have a similar idea, but I am just using a small blue metal storage box and it sits under the bookshelf! Your idea looks way nicer.
BTW, what colour is your living room wall?(I know me and paint colours!)
owlhaven says
We have a basket too– just filled it up with fresh books today! Ours is a cool African basket…
Mary, mom to many
org junkie says
Hey Jenny! So many people love the color of my wall…it isn’t really purple like the picture shows…its called Amazon Soil by Benjamin Moore. We have it on the one main “feature” wall and the rest of the room is in a dark beige.
Jennifer says
We do a place on our shelves for library books, too, but I have not implemented the “one book at a time” rule (for myself or the kids). That’s a good idea. My daughter just found a book that we had to buy in August. We had looked everywhere–under beds, behind bookcases. I don’t know where she found it.
Homeschool Mama says
I just joined the library in our new town last week. Of course, being an organization lover that I am, a library basket was born. I may have to borrow the idea of late fees, though. Thanks!
Anonymous says
That is excellant….what would we do without you?
Lines From The Vine says
Your basket is beautiful! We have
a place for books in our home too…and I always keep the receipt magnetically clipped to the front of the fridge so I WILL
NOT forget when they are due! (Though some how we still had to pay library fines this week! OUCH!)
Tracy
Amy W says
Lovely basket! We use a large bag hidden next to the front door and I always ask the librarian for a print-out list of the books we check out (we check-out approx. 50+ books a week).
Not only do I love the basket but I just love the table with the shelf- it just fits together so nicely . . . . . wishing I had something suitable like that!
Kili @ Live Each Moment says
oooh, i love the idea
Magi says
We do something similar. I have a small two-shelf entry way table by our front door. We use the bottom shelf to keep library books. Your basket is much prettier than stacked books though. :o)
momrn2 says
Great idea! We have a specified location for library books as well, but I like the idea of a basket to keep them more confined!
Emily says
That use to happen to me. That’s a great idea. I will try it.
Amy says
Wonderful idea! We have a basket too and it makes the returning of the books so much easier. I love the idea of “fining” the kids for the books though- great job!
Christine says
We have a library basket too! It has worked wonders to avoid the problem of all the books getting mixed up.
Susanne says
Very nice! I have a bright red bag but I like the look of your basket oh, so much better! And I’ve done the “you pay the fine” thing too and found it works wonderfully!
Lady Why says
Great idea!!! We have a ‘library shelf’ where we keep those books… we’d have a million dollars in fines without that shelf!
That’s a gorgeous basket, by the way!
Judi says
Great idea (of course). I never think of these things. that is why I depend on you! 🙂
robin says
Love it Laura!
Thanks for sharing!
robin
“Once Upon a Mom’s Life”
The Lazy Organizer says
Great idea! Now what are your suggestions for making the kids actually use it???
Jenny says
I checked out the paint colour on Benjamin Moore’s site (okay I’m a colour geek I know!) and just love the colour! I actually was thinking of a similar colour to that the other day that I saw on a decorating show!
Anonymous says
Now this is a tip I will use. I am going to get a basket like this at Ben Franklin and do just what you advise. I can’t stand searching for all the books when I need to make a library run.
Ravenbajan says
Hey cool! I do that too! It definately makes them easier to find!