Often homeowners have more books than they have room for. Not everyone has a room they can dedicate solely to a book library. No matter the space you have, it’s possible to create small book libraries throughout your home. This will also help you to be able to access the books you need more easily. Following are some tips for creating book storage libraries in your home.
Sorting Your Books
The first step in creating a home library is to sort through your books. Think carefully about the books you truly like and will use. Give away any you feel you won’t even open. You may be able to find an organization that would appreciate receiving free books.
Categorizing
When you’ve decided which books are keepers, sort them into categories. For example, put cookbooks or anything related to the kitchen in one pile. Put reference books in another and books for leisure reading in yet another pile. By putting your books in categories, you’ll be able to store them in the room where you will use them most.
Creating a Library by Room
Once you’ve categorized your books, start with one category. For example, start with books related to the kitchen. Find a place in your kitchen such as an empty cabinet or even an area for a book shelf. If you don’t have a lot of room in your kitchen, nor any empty cabinets, you may want to invest in a wall shelf. These can also be made rather easily.
A child’s room can be fun to create a book library. You can use a colorful book shelf or even stack plastic milk crates. Use your imagination and what you already have on hand. Children will love having their own library of books in their room. It will help encourage them to read.
For reference books or leisure reading books, you could create a space in your living room, a family room or even a hallway. Where you put the books will depend on your personal usage of them. A family room might be ideal for a leisure reading library.
The Arrangement
Once you have figured out which books will go in each room, arrange books by how you will use them. You can arrange alphabetically or by type. For example, you might want to categorize books for leisure reading by genre such as mystery, romance, western, etc. Recipes books can be arranged by type such as desserts, main meals or ones you use most frequently.
Designing the Look
When arranging your books, you don’t have to line them all up vertically. You can mix and match – have some standing vertically and some laying horizontially. You can add visual appeal by placing decorative items, framed pictures, etc. in between the books.
More Tips
* You can add some fun to your library by making colorful labels for your book shelves.
* Don’t allow books to be exposed to excessive sunlight or heat
* Don’t store books in a room with high humidity or excessive temperature changes
* Books need air flow. Don’t push them all the way to the back of the shelf. Don’t squeeze them too tightly together.
Written by Kate
SMART PEOPLE USE SMART LIBRARIES LIBRARY IRELAND WEEK: 7 — 13 MARCH, 2011 Library websites, blogs, facebook, twitter, free internet access, online and open source materials, ebooks, audiobooks, music, films, the list is endless!! Monday March 7, 2011 is the start of Library Ireland Week. It’s all about how people are using libraries and how libraries are using technology and social media to communicate and to increase access to books and other services. There are hundreds of events taking place in all kinds of libraries all over the country during Library Ireland Week. To get involved and to see what’s on in a library near you, go to www.libraryirelandweek.ie For up to the minute information on what’s happening during Library Ireland Week, follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Library Ireland Week is an initiative of the Library Association of Ireland. Thanks to the following companies who made this video possible by their support: South Dublin County Council Kildare County Council Waterford City Council Interleaf Technology International Education Services Limited The Book Nest Library Supply O’Mahony’s Booksellers The Open Book Company SWETS 3M Video by Areaman Productions
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