Setting Up an A+ Fair (2024)

A successful Book Fair makes it easy for students and parents to find the right books. The faster that shoppers find books at the appropriate grade level or about their favorite subjects, the sooner they’ll move on to discover new books! Fortunately, the right Fair setup is easy to accomplish in just a few simple steps.

FIND THE RIGHT VENUE

As soon as you decide to host a Book Fair, search your school for the perfect site.

● The ideal venue for your Fair is wherever there’s room for all the cases and tables delivered to your school.

● Keep your Book Fair schedule in mind. Consider the availability of your site for the entire duration of the Fair, which may be several days.

Gyms and media centers are popular sites for a Book Fair.

● Measure the space and draw a floor plan to determine if you’ve chosen the right venue. A floor plan is also easy to share with volunteers helping with setup. Book Fair cases are a little more than 7 ft. wide when open.

SET UP YOUR FAIR – CASES FIRST!

How you arrange the cases means everything to your shoppers.

● After setting aside the boxes atop the cases, check the side of each case for labels with grade recommendations and book categories.

● Arrange your cases in a semicircle formation ordered by grade level from youngest to oldest to guide kids to age-appropriate books. (Some headers and shelf-talkers on the cases also call out grade levels.)

If you don’t have room for a semicircle of cases, arrange them in small clusters by grade level.

● Once your cases are in place, pull up the cardboard headers, an eye-catching way to guide shoppers to the right books.

● Use shelf-talkers from your Book Fair Kit and Chairperson's Toolkit to call attention to Teachers’ Picks, Principal’s Picks, and great gifts for upcoming holidays.

● Don’t place books atop your cases—they will block the decorative headers.

CREATE TABLETOP DISPLAYS

Home of some Book Fair bestsellers, your tables should be front and center.

● Place your tables so there’s enough space for shoppers to walk around and between them.

● Find the book box for each table that corresponds to the grade level or category of the nearest case. For example, your hardcover picture books should be on the table closest to the picture books case.

If available table space requires you to combine book categories on one table, make sure these categories are related and appropriate for similar grade levels. Graphic novels may seem similar to hardcover picture books, but they’re a more age-appropriate fit with entertainment books.

● With your tables in place, add a table cover before you start placing books.

● Arrange books from the boxes. Put large books in the center of the table and smaller ones closer to the outside. Use stacks and book easels to show books at different eye levels.

Don’t get rid of book boxes! Place them on tables to create a tiered display.

● Arrange books from the boxes. Put large books in the center of the table and smaller ones closer to the outside. Use stacks and book easels to show books at different eye levels.

● Use the signs from your Fair Setup Kit to identify each table. The box is a great spot for that sign!

SET UP THE CASHIER'S TABLE

The final stop for shoppers should be easy to find and showcase popular non-book items.

● Locate your cashier’s table near the Fair exit to create a good flow.

School supplies are popular last-minute purchases. Stock some on your cashier’s table or a table nearby.

● Posters are a popular last-minute purchase. Hang a sample of each poster on a wall behind the cashier’s table. (Only hang one of each poster—leave the rest in the box.) If no wall space is available, hang posters from a clothesline or coat rack. Number each poster so shoppers can request the poster by number.

PACKING UP

After your Fair, pack up remaining books in their original boxes and place the boxes back on top of the cases. Now, your Fair is ready to be picked up by a driver.

WATCH OUR EXPLAINER VIDEO

Looking for more tips and tricks? Check out the Fair Talks page for all our video explainers!

Go to Fair Talks Page