Nonfiction Library Shelf Labels

Do you need to make your nonfiction section easier to browse, especially for your younger students? These nonfiction shelf labels will make it fun and easier for students to learn about all of the wonderful informational books that you have in your library!

Years ago, I decided to create signage for my nonfiction section to help my very youngest students find what they need by using pictures of the book subjects. However, I still wanted them to see the call numbers for each subject so that as they got older, they would understand how nonfiction books are grouped by subject.

These labels have gone through several revisions since I first uploaded this resource several years ago. The latest revision is the BEST YET!

There are currently 132 shelf labels included, in two different styles (with a border and without). The majority have photographic realistic images to help convey the idea that the nonfiction section has information about the world we live in and the people who live in it. As much as I love using cute fonts, I made the conscious decision to use an easily readable traditional font (Tahoma) which is one of the fonts recommended for students with Dyslexia. There are pdf versions and PowerPoint files that include EDITABLE text so you can change the call numbers to suit your library. Please note that the images are not editable due to copyright restrictions.

Here's how I used these shelf labels:

I assigned each of the ten Dewey sections a color (000s are green, 100s are orange, etc.). I then printed out the signs, cut them apart, glued them on the same color construction paper/cardstock (cut to size with the paper acting as a border or frame), and laminated them. I then used Blu-Tack (reusable adhesive) to attach them to my library shelves. Tape works too! I purchased color-coded tape in the same ten colors and placed a small piece of tape on the spine of each book right above the spine labels. Now all of my nonfiction books in the 000s have green tape on the spine, all of the books in the 100s have orange, etc. It definitely helps with keeping the books shelved properly. Many times, I have directed a Kindergartener to head over to the “Yellow” section and look for the picture of the subject to find the book they need.

I also printed a second set of these labels (glued to the same color paper and laminated) and use them as a scavenger hunt game when my students are learning about how nonfiction books are organized. I give each student a card and they go to the shelves with their shelf markers and find a book with the matching call number. They then place the shelf marker on the shelf and bring the book to me along with their card for me to check. I then give them another card, they put their book back, remove the shelf marker, and off they go to find the next book. The students LOVE this and challenge themselves to find as many s they can in the allotted time! Nonfiction book checkouts always SKYROCKET after they do this scavenger hunt!

Download the preview and click on the video so you can see a picture of the shelf labels in use.

For a fun lesson to get your students exploring the nonfiction section of your library, try my Diving into Dewey! resource.

For a fun spring activity, try my Easter egg hunt: Dewey Easter Egg Hunt Featuring the Ninja Bunnies! It uses the same call numbers as this product!

Would you like FREE K-5 Library Lessons for the first week of school? Click HERE

Terms of Use

© Elementary Library Mama. All rights reserved by the author. This product is to be used by the original purchaser only. Copying for more than one teacher/librarian is prohibited. Additional licenses are available at a discount. For librarians: you may use this product with all of your classes and students.

Still have questions or a special request?

Please click on the Product Q&A tab to ask a question or send me a private email: info@elementarylibrarymama.com

Please leave Feedback!

If you have a concern, please contact me first before rating so that I may have the opportunity to address your concerns. Each time you give feedback, TPT gives you feedback credits that you use to lower the cost of your future purchases. I value your feedback greatly as it helps me determine which products are most valuable for your library media center/classroom so I can create more for you. ☺

*****************************************************************************

Customer Tips:

Like me on Facebook

Subscribe to my Blog for exclusive freebies just for my readers!

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on Pinterest

Be the first to know about sales, freebies and new products:

• Look for the green star next to my store logo and click it to become a follower. Voila! You will now receive email updates about this store. ☺

*****************************************************************************