End of the Year Checklist for School Librarians

The end of the school year always seems to sneak up faster than expected, doesn’t it? One minute, you’re reading winter stories, the next, you’re hunting down missing books, pulling down bulletin boards, and prepping for summer maintenance. It can feel like there’s so much to do and never quite enough time or energy to get it all done. That’s exactly why having an end of the year checklist is essential. It keeps your mind clear and your tasks in order so you can finish strong and walk out the door knowing you’re set up for a smooth return in the fall. I created my editable checklist over the years and am now sharing it with you!

End of the Year Checklist: Organize and Clean Your Library Space

By the time May or June rolls around, your office, workroom, and even your storytime nook might look like a whirlwind passed through. It can be a mess between read-aloud prep, student projects, and those “I’ll deal with this later” stacks of papers. That’s why “Organize and Clean” always lands at the top of my end of the year checklist.

Start with those piles of paper. Recycle outdated notes and flyers, shred any student forms with personal info, and file away anything worth saving. Go through your storage cabinets and take a look at your supplies. Take some time to weed out broken crayons and dried-up glue sticks. This way, you can make an accurate list of school supplies to restock during summer sales.

This is also the time to pull down bulletin boards, store decorations in labeled bags, and assemble a “Back to School” tub. I like to toss in a few of my favorite read-alouds, welcome posters, and any activity ideas I know I’ll want to use in August. Having those materials prepped ahead of time takes a huge weight off your shoulders during that busy back to school season.

End of the Year Checklist: Library-Specific To-Dos for K–5

Every elementary library runs a little differently, but there are several go-to library tasks that should absolutely be on your end of the year checklist. These are the behind-the-scenes items that keep your records clean, your collection up to date, and your materials ready for a fresh start.

Start by running overdue notices for students and staff. Send home friendly reminders to students. You may even consider emailing teachers to help track down missing items. Then, pull end-of-year reports. Circulation statistics, cataloging records, and reports of lost or damaged books are all helpful to save. This is especially important if you ever need to advocate for your budget or book requests.

If your school does inventory, now’s the time to finish it up. I used to tackle it in sections throughout the year. A quick scan of your highest-use areas is still helpful if you’re short on time.

If your school checks out equipment through the library, like headphones, Chromebooks, or AV tools, do a quick check-in process to make sure everything is returned and working.

Don’t forget to dismantle themed displays, reading challenge posters, and special book bins. Store signage, genre labels, and seasonal props where you can easily find them next year. If you’ve got a book fair coming up early in the fall, locate your banners, tablecloths, and vendor materials now so you’re not scrambling later.

Tech Tips for Wrapping Up

Technology cleanup can feel like a chore. Let me tell you that you’ll be so glad you took the time when you return in the fall. On your end of the year checklist, make sure to carve out time for tidying up your digital space as well as your physical tech tools.

Start with your desktop and shared drives. You want to move any important documents to a labeled folder or external drive. If you use lesson templates, newsletters, or library signage throughout the year, now’s a great time to archive copies for next year and clear out old versions. Then, take a deep breath and clean out your inbox. I know, it’s scary. If you’re still hanging on to an email about December pajama day or Valentine’s Day reminders, it’s time to hit delete.

Physically, make sure your document camera is stored safely, unplug your SmartBoard if needed, and tuck all chargers and cords into clearly labeled bags or bins. I always covered my SmartBoard with a cloth or bulletin board paper to keep the screen clean over the summer. These extra steps might feel small, but they help protect your tech investment and your sanity in the long term.

Don’t Forget the “Little Things”

There are always a few random, but super important, items that deserve a spot on your end of the year checklist. They’re the kind of things you don’t realize you’ve forgotten until the building is locked up for the summer.

First, designate a “going home” bin. Toss in any personal items, books, or curriculum you want to read over the summer, and anything you’ll need to prep at home. This also includes those half-used bulletin board sets you don’t want to misplace.

Don’t forget to clean out the fridge. Trust me, leftover juice boxes and yogurts do not age well. While you’re at it, check all your snack drawers and toss anything expired.

You’ll also want to make a password cheat sheet for any library systems, subscription sites, or tech tools. You’ll thank yourself in July when you suddenly need access to your library software or reading program platform and can’t remember which version of your pet’s name you used.

Reflect and Reset for a Fresh Start

Before you close the library door for the last time this year, give yourself a few quiet minutes to reflect. Think about what went well this year. What read-alouds had your students totally hooked? Which centers or activities ran smoothly? What book displays or checkout systems made your life easier? Then think about what needs a little tweaking or a complete makeover.

Use this reflection time to jot down some notes. Even three or four quick bullet points can help you feel more confident and focused heading into the next year. If your school doesn’t require an end of year report, consider creating a short version for yourself. You can include circulation numbers, highlights from author visits or library events, and ideas for next year. This type of reflection helps you celebrate how much you’ve accomplished.

Free Editable End of the Year Checklist Just for You!

The end of the school year doesn’t have to feel like a scramble. With the right end of the year checklist in hand, you can stay organized, tie up all the loose ends, and walk out of your library knowing you’ve set yourself up for success in the fall. Whether you’re clearing out craft drawers, wrapping up reports, or simply making sure the SmartBoard markers aren’t missing again, every task you check off brings you one step closer to a well-deserved summer break. Here’s to wrapping up the year with confidence, clarity, and maybe even a little extra time to enjoy those final read-alouds. You’ve got this!

To make things even easier, I’ve put together a free, editable end of the year checklist just for K–5 librarians. It’s a PowerPoint file, so you can make it your own. Add, delete, or reorder the sections depending on your school’s schedule and your library’s setup.

Whether you love checking boxes or just need help remembering all the moving parts, this checklist is here to help you wrap up the school year with less stress and more confidence.

This handy checklist is available in my free resource library.

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