ABSTRACT
For many children, school offers the only real access opportunities in their lives, so it has to count. The classroom library's placement and arrangement of books throughout the classroom reflects the teacher's intentions, values, and beliefs about reading. Classroom libraries can offer readers books expertly selected by a classroom teacher who has knowledge of curricula and a variety of texts that can supplement and complement what the class is studying. Well-organized libraries with clear groupings and engaging labels ensure that readers can find favorites and discover new titles. Children, like adults, want to read what their peers are reading. By offering time to share formally and informally with classmates, choice becomes a social dimension in the reading community. The classroom library is essential to all the effective teaching and learning that takes place in reading workshop and across a learning day.
