Can Schools Order Books Online? A Guide for UK Schools, Nurseries and Libraries
Yes — schools can order books online, and for many schools, nurseries, academies and libraries it can be one of the easiest ways to refresh classroom shelves, build reading collections and purchase books in bulk.
The important part is choosing a supplier that works with the way schools actually buy.
Schools may need purchase orders, invoices, clear pricing and time to settle accounts rather than simply paying by card at checkout. They may also be buying dozens of books at once, working within a fixed departmental budget or sourcing titles for several classrooms.
At The Book Crib, we offer a dedicated service for UK schools, academies, nurseries and libraries, including purchase orders, flexible 30-day credit terms, no minimum spend and savings of up to 80% off RRP on selected books and collections.
You can find full details on our School Orders page.
How can a school order books online?
There are generally two ways a school can purchase books online.
For smaller orders, a school may simply browse an online bookshop, select the books required and place an order in the usual way.
For larger or more formal school purchases, however, a purchase order is often easier.
A purchase order allows the school to confirm what it wants to buy while following its own internal purchasing procedures. The supplier can then process the order and provide the appropriate invoice.
At The Book Crib, schools can send their purchase order directly to our team. We can then handle the order, invoicing and delivery rather than requiring a member of staff to purchase everything personally through a standard checkout.
This can be particularly useful for:
- Primary and secondary schools
- Nurseries and early-years settings
- School libraries
- Academies
- Multi-academy trusts
- Teachers ordering for individual classrooms
- Reading coordinators
- SEN and nurture spaces
- School reading initiatives
- Libraries and educational organisations
What books can schools order?
The best school book order depends on what you are trying to achieve.
Some schools are refreshing an entire library, while others may simply need a new selection for one classroom.
Before choosing titles, it helps to decide exactly what the books are for.
Classroom reading corners
A classroom reading corner needs enough variety that different pupils can find something they genuinely want to read.
That might include:
- Picture books
- Humorous books
- Adventure stories
- Fantasy
- Mystery
- Popular children's series
- Early readers
- Non-fiction
- Football and sports books
- Graphic novels
School libraries
A school library usually needs a broader collection.
Rather than buying large quantities from one genre, consider providing a mixture of fiction, non-fiction, classics, popular series and books for different reading interests.
It can also be useful to look at what pupils are already borrowing.
If fantasy books are constantly checked out, for example, that is a strong sign that additional fantasy titles may be worthwhile.
Similarly, if pupils regularly ask for football books, funny stories or particular authors, those requests can help guide future purchasing.
Nurseries and early-years settings
For younger children, books may be used very differently.
Nurseries may want:
- Picture books
- Board books
- Repetitive stories
- Bedtime stories
- Alphabet and number books
- Books about colours and shapes
- First-word books
- Interactive books
- Stories about emotions and everyday experiences
Buying book sets versus individual books
Book collections and box sets can be particularly useful for schools.
Instead of ordering every title separately, a collection can provide several books from the same author or series in one purchase.
This works particularly well when pupils are already interested in a character or series.
If a child finishes the first book and immediately wants the next one, having the full collection available can help maintain their enthusiasm for reading.
Collections can also be useful for:
- Classroom libraries
- Reading rewards
- School prizes
- Reading challenges
- Library refreshes
- Book clubs
- End-of-term gifts
How can schools make their book budget go further?
School budgets have to cover many different priorities, so getting good value from a book order matters.
The lowest-priced book is not always automatically the best value.
A book that pupils repeatedly borrow, discuss and recommend may provide far greater value than a cheaper title that sits untouched on a shelf.
There are several ways schools can make their budget work harder.
Look at collections and sets
Book sets can sometimes provide a more cost-effective way to purchase several related titles.
They also make ordering easier when a school wants to introduce a complete series.
Combine requirements from several classrooms
Rather than teachers placing multiple small orders separately, schools can combine requests from different year groups or departments.
This can simplify administration and make it easier to keep track of what has been purchased.
Check existing stock first
Before ordering, check classroom shelves and the school library for duplicates.
A simple stock check can prevent a surprising amount of unnecessary spending.
Look beyond RRP
Schools purchasing larger quantities should look at the actual selling price rather than simply comparing recommended retail prices.
The Book Crib offers schools access to books and collections with savings of up to 80% off RRP on selected products, helping education budgets stretch further.
Can schools order books using a purchase order?
Yes.
Many schools prefer to use purchase orders because they fit more easily into established finance and approval procedures.
The Book Crib accepts purchase orders from UK schools, academies, nurseries and libraries.
Schools can email their purchase order directly to our team rather than requiring a teacher or administrator to pay personally.
We also offer flexible 30-day credit terms for school orders, making it easier for the school finance team to process payment through its normal procedures.
There is also no minimum spend for school orders, so the service can be used whether you are replacing a handful of classroom books or purchasing a much larger collection.
Full details are available on our School Orders page.
What should be included in a school book order?
Before sending an order, it is worth completing a quick final check.
Make sure:
- The quantities are correct
- Staff have checked for duplicate titles
- The books are suitable for the intended age or reading level
- The order is within the agreed budget
- The correct school delivery address has been provided
- Any required purchase order number is included
- The school has decided where the books will be used
They do not need to choose every book themselves. Their role is simply to make sure the overall order makes sense before it is submitted.
Choosing books pupils actually want to read
One of the easiest mistakes when buying books for schools is choosing entirely from an adult's perspective.
Teachers and librarians obviously play an important role in selecting appropriate books, but pupils can provide extremely useful information too.
Ask them:
- Which books have they enjoyed recently?
- Which authors would they like more of?
- Which series are they waiting to continue?
- Which genres are missing from the classroom?
- Which books would they recommend to a friend?
The purpose is to identify patterns.
If ten children independently ask for graphic novels, mysteries or football biographies, that tells you something useful about what might actually be read.
A library works best when pupils see books they are genuinely excited to pick up.
Don't forget what happens after the books arrive
Ordering the books is only half the job.
When new books arrive, make them visible.
Instead of immediately placing every new title spine-first onto a crowded shelf, consider creating a small New Books display.
Teachers could introduce a few of the titles during class, while librarians could highlight new arrivals during library sessions.
You could also:
- Display books face-out
- Create a staff recommendation shelf
- Ask pupils to write recommendation cards
- Rotate books between classrooms
- Create themed displays
- Highlight a different author each month
- Use new books for reading challenges
Choosing an online book supplier for your school
Price matters, but it should not be the only consideration.
A good school book supplier should make the purchasing process straightforward.
Look for:
- Clear product information
- Competitive prices
- A wide choice of books
- Book collections and sets
- Reliable UK delivery
- Purchase order support
- Clear invoicing
- Helpful customer service
- Straightforward communication
If a school is purchasing books for several classrooms or refreshing part of its library, being able to speak to somebody about the order can save a considerable amount of time.
Ordering school books from The Book Crib
The Book Crib supplies books to schools, nurseries, academies and libraries across the UK.
Our school-order service is designed to make purchasing straightforward for both teaching staff and school finance teams.
Schools can benefit from:
- Purchase orders accepted
- Flexible 30-day credit terms
- No minimum spend
- Savings of up to 80% off RRP on selected books
- Classroom book sets and collections
- Clear invoicing
- Fast UK dispatch
- Dedicated support for school orders
Visit our School Orders page to find out more and place your school book order.
Frequently asked questions
Can schools buy books online?
Yes. Schools can purchase books from online retailers just like other organisations. Schools that need formal invoicing or internal approval may find it easier to use a supplier that accepts purchase orders.
Can schools order books with a purchase order?
Yes. The Book Crib accepts purchase orders from UK schools, academies, nurseries and libraries.
Does The Book Crib offer credit terms for schools?
Yes. Flexible 30-day credit terms are available for school orders.
Is there a minimum school order?
No. The Book Crib's school-order service has no minimum spend.
Can nurseries order from The Book Crib?
Yes. The service is available to nurseries as well as schools, academies and libraries.
Can schools buy book sets and collections?
Yes. Book sets and series collections can be particularly useful for classroom libraries, reading corners, prizes and larger library refreshes.
Ready to order books for your school?
If you're looking for classroom books, school library books, children's collections or bulk book sets, The Book Crib can help.
With purchase orders accepted, 30-day credit terms, no minimum spend and discounts of up to 80% off RRP on selected books, ordering new books for your school can be simple.
Visit The Book Crib School Orders page to get started.
