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August 19, 2008 by Travis Jonker

Unboxing: New Books Arrive

August 19, 2008 by Travis Jonker   5 comments

For some reason, I’m drawn to blogs (like Ars Technica) that go into minute detail in describing the latest gadget (like the Kindle). But they don’t just show pictures – they document every step of the package opening process. They call it unboxing. Well, I receive cool stuff that comes in a box too – books. With the start of the school year nigh, I’ve been the proud recipient of a bunch of books I ordered back in June.

So lets get in depth. I bring you the first ever book order unboxing:

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The Boxes Arrive

Any school librarian will tell you this is a good sight. I typically do a lot of ordering with Follett – they’ve got customer service locked down. This is a fairly small order for the 5th and 6th grade building where I work. It is one of four elementary school libraries I call home.

The Boxes, Opened
The Boxes, Opened

After opening you usually have to unstuff the boxes. You don’t want those books flying around in there, do you?

Book Box Stuffing
Book Box Stuffing

At this point I often come down with a case of tunnel vision. Voices become muffled, periphrial vision blurs, and I’m pretty much just interesed in seeing the new books.

Inside Box 1
Inside Box #1

Now to the good stuff. Here’s a look inside the first box. A couple of good ones right on top. The new “Ellie McDoodle” and “Game Three (Barnstormers series)“. The nice thing about ordering books for multiple schools is that there are always some titles you forgot about.

Book on the Cart
Books on the Cart

Next we sort the books into categories and put them on the mini book cart. If you don’t have mini book carts I highly recommend them. Gotta get the mini book carts.

Inside Box #2
Inside Box #2

Try as I might, there are always a few that slip through the cracks. Usually there will be a book or two per order that isn’t right for the grade level. Upon closer inspection I think “The Cat on the Mat is Flat” (see above) is one such book. I’ll take that one to a different, more age appropriate building.

Filled Up Mini Cart
Filled Up Mini Cart

The cart continues to fill up and “oh yeah, I ordered that” moments accrue. By popular demand, I did a couple “Choose Your Own Adventure” titles in this batch. I’m interested to see how those circulate once the year begins. Next up we will go through the packing list and make sure all the books arrived (be happy I did not share this part).

Books to Read
Books to Read

Now the decision must be made: since school is a couple weeks away, I can take a few books home for “research”. Above are a few of the books that I am especially interested in reading. A couple nonfiction, the new Spinelli, a few graphic novels – some of these may turn up in future reviews.

But if I can say just three words about the whole process it would be this: mini. book. cart.

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About Travis Jonker

Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. cloudscome says

    August 20, 2008 at 8:38 pm

    This is one of my favorite things to do at work too. I love those white boxes with the red stripes.

  2. Breeni Books says

    August 20, 2008 at 11:52 pm

    I think I was just as excited to read about opening the boxes as you were actually opening them! Plus, I’m getting good reading suggestions for my fourth grader. Thanks!

  3. Scope Notes says

    August 21, 2008 at 8:48 am

    Everyone’s different, but I think selection is one of the best parts of my job. It’s fun to try to find the latest and greatest!

  4. Tasses says

    August 25, 2008 at 11:04 pm

    For a moment, just a brief moment, I really missed my job. Thanks for the memory stir.

  5. Scope Notes says

    August 27, 2008 at 11:40 am

    I’m glad it brought you back. For those of us who think of selection as one of the best parts of the job, seeing those boxes is a great thing.

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