Photos of Happily-Filled Bookcases

Ok, time to show off: let's see some photographs of your bookcases, bookshelves, book-stacks, whatever. Post some links to your images, so the rest of us can be jealous or give some advice.
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Ha! I wanted to take some pics right away, but then I realized I couldn't step over the piles of books on my floors ;-)

So give me a week and it'll be much more, er, organized!

My pics are here: http://pics.livejournal.com/agentxpndble/gallery/00012x6s

I've caused structural damage to the 80-something year old building I'm in... Cracks everywhere in the plaster and a beam in the basement has split (not entirely my fault, but I'm sure I contributed to the problem.) I'm worried about moving now - I prefer older buildings and don't know how I'm going to find one next time that I won't damage again!

Problem is, I want MORE BOOKS... I can't stop bringing them home! I feel like I'm on that planet of Douglas Adams' - The one where you have to weigh the same when you leave as you do when you arrive - For every new book I bring in, something of the same weight has to go...!

So, the books are happy, the bookshelves are happily filled, and I'm definitely happy at the happily filled shelves (and the books) - But the house is a bit depressed. :-(

My pics are here: http://pics.livejournal.com/roseargent/pic/0004z92t/g11

I also have probably about four or five boxes of books in storage. I just don't have the space.

Lohengrin, can I get more books on a shelf if I store them on their covers as you have yours? I have mine shelved as in a library, upright, but I've always wondered which way allows more books on a shelf. Anyone?

My desk, with some books on top. You can't see the shelves above the desk which extend out into the hall landing. Click on the photo to enlarge:

http://bostonhistory.typepad.com/notes_on_the_urban_condit/2006/02/more_history_...

kageeh, it depends on the size of your shelves. If they are taller than your books and you are left with a gap at the top, then you can probably fit more stacking them horizontally.

Oh, NO. Bookcase p0rn!

Well, actually when we are discussing fitting in as many as possible, it's probably reached more of an orgy level.

These discussions of gaps and lengths can become quite, uh, heated.

But really, the only way to make sure that your book is happy is to sandwich it between two other ones...

'nuff said. ;-)

ohho, interesting idea. What books on your shelves would be into it? Which ones would rather dive into a fire than consort with each other? What lovechildren would your books produce?

Hmm... lohengrin, your comment makes me think of my favorite Billy Collins poem: http://www.contemporarypoetry.com/dialect/poetry/collinsthesaurus.htm

Lohengrin, it would be like naming racehorses...

When Nowhere meets Through the Looking Glass - Erewhon! (Ok, I know that's not an exact reversal but it will do.)

I could really get into this -- discussing the serendipitous yet random alignment of books. For example, I have Polio by Oshinsky right next to Copeland's Cure by Robins and next to that is Why People Believe Weird Things by Shermer. They (in a menage a trois?) give birth to Search Angel by Nykanen. What do you make of that?

Okay, I hate to change the subject, but I'm going to! I am dreaming about turning a spare room into a library for ME! Does anyone have a dedicated library? I'm technically challenged, so I don't know if it's possible to post pictures on this board, but I'd love to see pictures of others' libraries. My favorite dream book on the subject is At Home With Books, but so many of those libraries, beautiful though they may be, are in "castles". I'd love to see "real people's" libraries! Thanks!

Duh---I just realized there are already some pictures links posted! Any more out there???

I can't resist a chance to post bookcase pr0n:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ellenw/216538708/

Now the contest -- who can identify spines in other people's book pictures? lohengrin, I recognize some Anne Bishop and Holly Lisle on your shelf, but that's about all, I'm afraid.

(Edited to add touchstones.)

Ellen, I am soooooo jealous of your bookshelves! Awesome!

Kageeh, on a shelf above my bed I have Naked Courtesans Educating Peter! (Lucky Peter...)

Reader's Digest Condensed Books I remember from childhood included 'internal dialogue' like Where Are The Children? - Among the Elephants; and I Can Jump Puddles - Go In And Sink!. I can't help feeling the compilers of each volume did that on purpose.

Built in bookshelves, part of five sections total (not all for books, as seen)

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/2075/backbookssmallvh1.jpg

Portion of six stacked barrister cases:
http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/4268/barristerbookssmallba8.jpg

Portion of shelves extending over hall landing and the desk seen in message 5:

http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/3896/hallbookssmallhc1.jpg

bostonhistory, I see that you have The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language!

I really thought that recognizing books by their covers would be easier.

(Edited to add touchstones.)

can I get more books on a shelf if I store them on their covers as you have yours?

The difficulty with this method of storage is that the book you want will always be at the bottom of the pile. Even if it was on top yesterday, it will mysteriously, and of its own volition, bury itself.

ellen w.:

I could always post the full size higher resolution pictures which would allow you to identify every book by reading the spine. Smaller and fuzzier is more fun.

I have all sorts of action figures and other decorative stuff in front of most of my books, so even high-res shots won't always help. :P

bostonhistory:

Oh yes, I agree, smaller and fuzzier is more fun. I can recognize my own books' spines in pictures just by the color and layout. Turns out it's a bit harder when they're someone else's, though...

Bostonhistory -- I see real pornography in your first picture -- empty shelves! How you can show that on a mixed gender public website, where underage children may lurk, is beyond me . . . . :).

And barrister bookcases -- oh, I am so jealous!

kageeh:

We've been doing some rearranging and the empty shelves you see are ones I made and painted a few weeks ago. They need a good drying before I can put books on them. Don't you worry--there are plenty of books to put on those shelves! What's hard to believe is that when we bought this place all of those bookcases were stained a very dark brown and not in a good way.

mcarrick, I just had a bookgasm - At work. Squeeeeee!

Ooh ooh ooh, I'll have one of those please!

SimPenguin - good job you don't work where I used to, then... You'd never get any work done at all! :D

(Seriously. I spent weeks wandering around staring at gloriously painted ceilings and fabulous portraits during my lunch hours, before starting on the books.)

In my study:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mojosmom/223782607/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mojosmom/223782606
(There are also two smaller bookcases in my study of which I do not have photos.)

In the hallway: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mojosmom/223782605

In the living room:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mojosmom/223782603
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mojosmom/223782602
(There are also built-ins on either side of the fireplace of which I do not have photos.)

In the "butler's pantry":
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mojosmom/223782601

w@w, thanks for posting links to photos of your library, lilithcat!! (i've always felt that you've got one of the best libraries here on LT, and these confirmed it for me)

Lilithcat --I am admiring the walls of bookcases in your library. Did you build those yourself? Are they "built-in"?

I am also aghast (:)) at all the spaces I see where you can put more books. Talk about bookporn -- I wish I had empty spaces . . . .

The ones in the study are built-ins. They were done by the wonderful people at 57th Street Bookcases and Cabinets.

all the spaces I see where you can put more books

Not as much as I need. Notice those piles on the floor? ;-)

Unfortunately, there is no 57th Street Bookcases and Cabinets (or any relatives thereof) in southwestern Ohio (alas). It's so sad.

Before I discovered LT, I thought piles of books were something to be hidden behind closed doors (i.e., my library in which I can no longer walk safely). But no more! Many even very wealthy classy people have book piles everywhere. I love it! Well, I'm off to redecorate.

Here's my main book shelf: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39831523@N00/226182506/
Does the upper of these shelves (http://www.flickr.com/photos/39831523@N00/226182508/) look a bit...bent...to you? I just noticed the other day, but can't really say for sure.

The second shelf from the top (in the picture) is definitely bending. What I've done in such circumstances is to remove the books, turn the shelf upside down, and then replace the books. It will take a long time to bend the other way.

Here's my library/office containing 90% of my hardcovers and trade paperbacks:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/86072644@N00/227397376/

Just click on the "photostream" section to see all the pictures. These are Ikea "Billy" bookcases in the black-brown color with glass doors, sold separately. Total cost per bookcase is approximately $180.00 plus tax (the bookcase is $80.00 and the doors are $100.00). Being Ikea, assembly is required, of course. The curving sides of the bookcases in some of the photos are courtesy of my camera skills ;-P

Unfortunately, I'm out of wall space in the "library" so I'll be starting on the guest bedroom soon. I'm contemplating these cool bookcases at: http://www.puntmobles.es/UK/product/1/p1a.html since almost 3k of my books are mass markets currently sitting in many long comic boxes in the garage. However, I sense those bookcases could be mighty expensive, and I don't know if glass doors are possible, so we'll see.

I'd post a picture but my bookshelf is really really really messy. That and you'd see three or four Harlequin Romances in there.

I'd post a picture but my bookshelf is really really really messy. That and you'd see three or four Harlequin Romances in there.

I'd post a picture of my bookshelves, but most of my books are packed away right now.

Once I unpack them all, I'm going to need at least two more bookcases.

Just some of them:

http://www.librarything.com/userpics/lverner-big.jpg

Second shelf from the bottom has a nearly complete set of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series. Magazines on the top left are old Analogs.

I'm a little late to the game, but here are some of my books:

http://1051page.com/books1.jpg
http://1051page.com/books2.jpg

I love looking at other people's bookcases so thought I'd share mine! I've got another big bookcase coming this week which I'm probably a little *too* excited about...

Now THAT's book porn!

hvhay, what an absolutely lovely room, chair, and reading corner! I'm very jealous.

Hopefully I will have pictures to share here soon. We have one huge set of built in shelves in our house that are bursting! And we have one room in our basement that is not being used at this time for anything practical. I think I've talked my husband into letting me turn it into a library. I think I'll go today to get some paint samples and begin the project. More later...

hvhay: Do you need a roommate, a spouse, an adopted daughter, etc.? Because *that* is something I want very near me, all the time... I can be packed and there as soon as the papers are signed!

{{{dreams}}}

It is a nice room but I see why the additional bookcase is so eagerly anticipated.

I remember seeing George Nelson's Omni shelves in someone's home when I was a child and thinking "Wow, I want to have those when I grow up." Well, it's many years later and I still don't feel like a "grown up" (job, family, stuff notwithstanding) but I do have those shelves.
The Omni system is a "pole supported" system (the poles are kept in place with springs/tension against the floor and ceiling -- it sounds flimsy but is quite sturdy). There's a photo of Nelson and the shelves in the aforementioned "Living With Books" (I love that cover photo of Harry N. Abrams).
I chose glass shelves because they are airy, elegant and they don't bend.
I started with two columns of shelves many years ago, added another two some years later and the latest two just a couple of years ago. Never enough space though (many other less elegant bookshelves strewn elsewhere in the apartment, but I'm on constant probation for book-buying recidivism).
Here are a few photos on Flickr (I just joined Flickr today so I could share these). http://www.flickr.com/photos/32849643@N00/

Prior link doesn't seem to work. Perhaps this one will?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32849643@N00/

Your first link doesn't work because it reads: "http://www.flickr.com/photos/32849643@N00/<br>Cheers!" (http://www.flickr.com/photos/32849643@N00/<br>Cheers!). That, of course, is no good. The link doesn't like the "<br>Cheers!" part.

Your second, corrected URL is good, but no link.

This should be the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32849643@N00/, up and working.

Quite nice shelves you have got indeed. A concern though: doesn't the abundance of light hurt the books?

bookstothesky, thank you for the link to Literatura by puntmobles - those are VERY nice indeed! 8-)

(They do have glass doors, yes - but you're probably right about them being expensive..).

boekerij: Thank you for correcting the link. Now I've also discovered how to edit and correct the prior posts.

Yes, you're quite right: too much light in this photo. Normally the shades are pulled (I wanted the light for this photo) but if a book is precious/delicate/valuable I keep it in a darker corner of the apartment. Unfortunately I have no other wall space large enough to handle these shelves.

When I grow up, I hope to have a dedicated room for my library. Someday.

I really like the idea of the moveable/rolling shelves to avoid the disease of most book collectors/readers -- double-booking. It's sad that every shelf I have has double rows of books, keeping so many hidden from view, but what can I do?

Sunny,

It was my pleasure to share those bookcases! I'm kind of afraid to order the catalog as the prices might crush my fantasies.

Thanks for the glass door information. It would help if I'd re-read what's on the site before posting ;P

Make that "download" the catalog, not order; see, just gotta read stuff first (sheesh!).

This kind of bookcase might cause a librarian to “go absolutely mad” but something tells me that it might make our browsers very happy!

http://circulating.wordpress.com/2006/09/05/can-you-help-me-find-that-book/

thank you Morten Liebach for sharing your colorful shelving layout!

The discussion on book colors brought this to mind. Back in 2004 San Francisco's Adobe Bookshop re-organized their books for a week by spine color. I think it's amazing that they got this done in just one night! (Think of how many multi-colored books you own and then let your jaw hit the ground.)

Here's a link to the NPR article and gallery photos:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4182224

While I sometimes try to "organize" a certain section of my books to stand-out, is there any combination (or construction) of books that anyone has that make them more unique?

In the interest of not paying for lost library books, I do shelve them on a specific shelf but I have bookcases in so many different rooms that organizing my owned books in any way whatsoever seems like an impossibility. I used to have my inventory tagged with bookcase letter and shelf number but puchasing more bookcases and having to shelve new books completely destroyed that system. Just knowing I have a certain book will have to do for now even though I have been known to buy another copy of a book I really want to read NOW but cannot find in my house. Now that's sick! Will anyone else confess to a similar secret vice?

Our minds must work differently from a lot of other peoples! I say this because every room in our house (except bathrooms) has bookshelves and I can nearly always find any book that I know I have within five minutes even if it is behind other books in a double rowed shelf. Are we overly organized? We've done some reorganizing as we catalogued but that only enhanced the findability of books since it mainly involved adding additional shelves to some of our bookcases so that there are many fewer books in (to us) odd spots.

I don't know if this qualifies as I don't actually own this book shelf but I would love to have it one day. I don't think it's all that practical but it sure is lovely. I could see it being a nightstand on my side of the bed.

http://www.thomasville.com/Item4233/Ernest-Hemingway-Living-Room-Shakespeare-and...

NotSunkYet - I am drooling over that bookshelf. It's terrific! I'm afraid to look at the price, though.

PDeebs, No! Don't look at the price, it's scary! Actually, they don't post the prices on the site but encourage you to call a local store. That's how expensive it is. eek!

These are from the house we moved from - the new house doesn't quite have the space for the books yet so they are in book shelves in the garage and in the closet under the stairs (and in 6 other book cases and assorted shelves scattered throughout the house).

http://flickr.com/photos/241westparkwood/119112954/
http://flickr.com/photos/241westparkwood/119112492/
http://flickr.com/photos/241westparkwood/119108780/
http://flickr.com/photos/241westparkwood/119105619/
http://flickr.com/photos/241westparkwood/119101657/

I'll have to take some pictures of the current library...

When we moved from a house with a library (ceiling to floor built-in shelves filling one entire wall), I had to design a library for the new home. I couldn't stand having my library in boxes stacked in a corner. At that time, it was about 1,500 volumes.

I shopped around quite a bit. I wanted something that I could affort, but which could be re-configured if necessary as we settled into our new home. I ended up with Scandia from Container Store, which is about as easy to put together as Tinker Toys The only tool required - a screwdriver to attach rear bracing. We have a converted garage which became mostly library, and here is how it looked before it was disassembled and moved when we remodeled (about 2,400 volumes):

Photos in my "Junk Drawer" - the photos actually appear in the reverse order intended.

These photos account for nearly all the books in the house at that time, except for the kids' books, which occupy a few shelves on basic, stand-alone bookcases in each bedroom.

Os.

Wow! Love the Shakespeare and Company Revolving Bookcase. I can just see it set in an alcove of some sort, maybe in a turret. I think I'll have to design a house around this; even with a couple of turrets to hold a pair of these bookcases. Well, it dosen't hurt to dream, right?

Great library Osbaldistone! I would much rather have a room for my books, than a room for my car. My in-laws have done the same thing, converted the garage to a library. The Scandia shelving looks to be very easy to manipulate to your needs. Your 'reading corner' is heavenly.

Back to the topic of book arrangement, I try to rearrange mine at least once a year to make sure they all get dusted and to remember what I have. At various times they've been arranged by size, color, and at the moment the books I've read are by subject and the unread books are alphabetical by title. The last was because I couldn't remember what I had and kept buying the same books over and over again. Arranging by color was probably the most aesthically pleasing.

>71
Actually, this topic is "Photos of Happily-Filled Bookcases".

O.

#72:

But the happiest-filled bookcases are the ones that are perfectly arranged... by the book lover!!

Hi--Can anyone help me find someone in Central Florida (Melbourne area) to build built-in cases for me? I have searched the internet, but perhaps I am not looking under the correct field of wood working. Where should I begin? Thank you for any suggestions.

I would expect that a good, recommended cabinet maker can do a good job of built in bookcases. The trick is figuring out how you want them to look.

If you're going have built in shelves, you need to be sure that the shelf will not sag after being full of books for a few years. This is dependent upon the material, the thickness, the free length, and how the ends of the shelf are connected to the case. So, you're cabinet maker needs to be conversant in this area, and you need to have a good idea of what the shelves will be asked to hold.

My 2-cents.

O.

Here is the 'wall of books' of my dreams. Many of you may recognize this from the BBC series Monarch of the Glen. When the scene moves into the library, I stop watching the characters and just gaze at the books and the bookcases.

>



Anyway, we can all dream.

O.

PS - this is offered as free wallpaper on the BBC website, so I don't think we need to worry about copyright issues by displaying this here.

This was posted in another LT discussion, but seems to apply here:

A Room (full of books) of one's own

Message #75
Thank you for your 2-cents! My old home used to have beautiful built-ins, but I had to say good bye to them when I moved. So I am on the search for someone to build a new resting place for my books.

Osbaldistone, I think you need to learn a little restraint.

...oh, who am I kidding. I'd have that many books if I could afford it. As it is, I have less than 700 and half of them are in boxes.

>79
stochasticooze, you'll get there if you keep hanging around with this crowd.

I have virtually every book I've bought or been given over the last 33 years. I guess that still comes out to about 72 books/yr (mostly hardcover), but easily half of those were bought used. Not such a big expense when you spread it out over 1/2 a lifetime.

As for learning restraint, I'm now trying to read more per year and buy less per year, in what may be the vain hope that I can read nearly all of them before I'm gone (excluding the reference books, of course). At this point, I estimate that I've read about 1/3 of the 'readable' books in my library. The theory has been proposed that God won't take me until I've finished my work. If my work is to read these books, then I'm here for awhile. :)

I also take comfort in the hope that my library will be valued by my children as they grow older. They both devour books right now, but so far, a book recommendation from me is about as welcome as zit on the end of the nose. But I tell myself that, when they are in their twenties, they'll start finding treasures on those shelves.

O.

mcarrick- I'm in love with those photos!

My husband built these hanging bookshelves (30X36) for about $30 each, the crown molding was the most expensive part. The design is ingenious, and was originally used for mounting shelves. A 45 degree mounting bracket is screwed into the studs, and the bookcases matching 45 degree bracket plus gravity hold them securely in place. We hung these in the basement office, and love the free floor space for chairs and storage. They also work nicely hanging behind a couch or chair where the floor space is not available.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/91126520@N00/2090843139/

Hanging shelves is a neat idea. They look very nice. They wouldn't work for me since I am renting, but it's something to keep in mind. Thanks for sharing the pictures!

Let's hope this link works! I just finished painting the doors this past weekend. I am so happy to have my books off of the floor!

http://www.flickr.com/gp/12657785@N02/Gj1JWL

It works fine.

Beautiful bookcases.

Yes, beautiful. Are you going to put some chairs in there for sitting and enjoying the books? I wish I could do that, the storage looks wonderful.

They look fantastic, basbleu! Did you have them built, or do it yourself?

Message #87 and #88
I actually have a chaise lounge in that area (not seen in photos) but I never use it as my cats have taken it over! I agree, I have to get a good chair in there so I can just be surrounded by the books. And I did not build them myself, I only painted the doors and put the pulls and brackets on. I WISH I had that kind of talent! My house would be full of bookcases :)

>85. Where did you find that adorable gargoyle table and those door knobs? I'm so jealous, you have such a pretty room!!

Message #90
Thank you for the compliment on the room - I suppose at some point I need to paint in there! Next project....

I don't remember where I got the glass table from, but I know I did a google seach for it. I have purchased many gargoyle themed items from Design Toscano, but they did not have that particular table. I prefer my gargoyles to be more "friendly" looking - at least the larger ones! The door pulls are from Myknobs.com - they had many, many door pulls to choose from and I was very pleased with their service.

I have been wanting to show off my books but only just now learned how to load pictures here:

Very cool. I have been thinking I will need to start using the tops of my bookcases soon, too.

Wait...

Sussabmax, you're just NOW thinking about using the tops of your bookcases??

To me that's the same as suddenly deciding to use both lungs to breath.

Well, I had been using the tops of my bookcases, but then I got some new shelves, and I stopped for a bit. But now I am going to have to start again. My science fiction shelf already has a wine rack on the top of it, though.

Obviously, I need to buy some new bookshelves. Want to come help me carry them to the third floor? ;-)

The best comment I've rec'd so far related to this picture is from someone who wanted to zoom in and read the titles off the books. LOL

By the way, some of the stuff on top of the bookshelves is not book stuff. Shame on me.

I think I'll go dust. (-;

The sixth book over on the second shelf from the top in the glass fronted case is a Moosewood cookbook. Have I got great eyesight or is that just the only book we share that it could be?

OK, here's another one. And I'll include a hint: This is my fiction bookcase.

Harry Potters on bottom Shelf?

horray ! you win a prize, I just don't know what...

New pictures:
http://home.att.net/~cimmeria/den.html

Just one wall of my den.

I'll be posting more pics soon. Plus, I'll soon be painting and remodeling, so I'll have after pictures as well.

- M

I created a flickr account just so that I could share some pictures of my bookshelves here. I didn't clean them up, but they are fairly organized. These pictures do not include (of course), the boxes of books I have in storage, or the random piles of books throughout the house. Or the cookbook shelves in my kitchen, since that is only two very small shelves.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27523670@N05/sets/72157605545347376/

#101: Omg, so organized, Michael! I wish my shelves looked like that, but I'm slowly running out of space. I'm having to do the double row of books on a shelf, too (as seen in your second photo).

#101 -- we have the same Lord of the Rings poster!

My dad just moved every book out of the house, so I'm too embarrassed about the meager stack I was able to salvage to actually post pictures of it, but I'm really enjoying all these pictures others have kindly put up of their own bookshelves. I'm hoping that my bookshelves will be just as full one day soon! Thanks.

Hopefully by next week end I'll have my new bookshelf up and filled so I can take pictures of it and post them.

OK I finally did it! Photos here. I really gotta work on that TBR pile!

Edited to change link to the set

Jim

Empty shelf space! I am jealous.

It looks good. Have fun filling them up.

That is a lot of space to add books. I am in need of more shelves, so I am jealous, too.

As promised here is my new book shelf

http://www.flickr.com/photos/snapafew/sets/72157605784140759/detail/

Very nice!

I have a question for this group. I came across a picture of a Biblical scholar, N.T. Wright in his library today. What caught my eye was an amazing piece of furniture. It appears to be some sort of 5 sided spinning book holder. I wrote about it in my blog. Can any of you identify this piece?

http://parkersmood.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/what-is-this-in-wrights-study/

Well, first my heart said, "Levenger?" However... there is nothing similar currently on their site. (It is likely that I remember something and am just exaggerating it.)

This bookstand seems to have been invented by Thomas Jefferson, and Wright's model may even be from the Monticello store:

http://monticellostore.stores.yahoo.net/110000.html

The revolving bookstand from Monticello! I confess that I have coveted one ever since touring Jefferson’s home back in the mid 1990’s. I was also amazed at how small his library was. I don’t believe it would be possible to fit my small collection in the shelves we saw and I have less than a third of the number of books Jefferson had.

The neatness is because I think there's an OCD-gene in me somewhere.

I hate having to double-row because I'll forget exactly where certain books are, but when you start running out of bookshelf space, and start running out of walls to put new shelves, it becomes necessary.

#104 -- I picked up that LOTR poster in college (SIU-C), and I've only ever seen smaller versions of it in tabaccoist shops of all places.

#107 justjim

Hey, is that a row of those leather-bound science fiction classics that were advertised on television and in magazines about ten years ago or more?????

If so, that's cool that you have so many. I wish they'd offer those up again that I can finally afford to buy them.

#110 -- and to think that people tease *me* for being ultra-neat.

119 > That was taken 10 minutes after I finished moving all my books back into the office. I like to have my books so I can find them, but NO ONE applies 'Neat' to me who knows me...

>118
No Michael, the shelf of leather quarter-bound books on the general fiction/biography bookcase is whats left of my Franklin Mint Oxford Library of Great Books.

Thanks for looking though. I'm moving soon, so I guess I'll have to post another set when I get re-set-up.

Jim

I've been enjoying this thread since it began, and decided I should finally post some of my own bookcases.

These are the ones in our den: http://www.flickr.com/photos/53958225@N00/2624455589/in/set-72157605903604557/

We also have one in the living room, one in the master bedroom, and four smaller kids cases.

My husband refuses to buy anything other than the cheap Wal-Mart/K/Mart bookshelves until we move into a more permanent home. Then we plan on having a real library with built-in cases. We'll see if that ever happens.

Added my living room bookcase: http://www.flickr.com/photos/53958225@N00/2653195621/in/set-72157605903604557/

>123
Hi, Anne of Green Gables Box Set buddy!

>125
Looks like time for a new bookcase. Or two or three... Those are definitely full!

>125
Okay, piles of books, but where are the bookcases?

Ooooh, there they are...

Danger Will Robinson, looks like an avalance in the making.

I do not have any room. I am in school and have to stay with parents. My room is smaller than a lot of dorm rooms

Here's a slideshow of my library, beginning with the bookcases in the family room and hallway.

Click on each Photo here to read the accompanying description of where my books are shelved.

No need to apologize, cindy. :) At least you can see your books. I've had to pretty much hide mine in closets, dressers, etc because of my cats. Love your posters by the way.

Hello- I was just going through the "If You Build It..." posts and second your findability comment. We have a lot-o-books (for a middle class family w/one wage earner), and I know where 95%+ are and can find them in a minute- and I can tell if one's been moved. Ahhhh, books...

What a great room. I can imagine myself looking for a stack of books on your shelves, then settling in for a long read. What a great job you have done.

My wife sent this link to me last week and it took me this long to get over it.

http://jpgmag.com/photos/1295486

Now that should be a capital offence.

>135

Barbarism.

Your Library is awesome I'm trying to arrange my Library into a some kind of order while im off work.

How did you do that?

>138, 139
soohoolm - Whose post are you responding to?

Os.

thanks! 131

>135

That was painful to see.

moibibliomaniac, that's an awesome book table! I am seriously envious :) In my house, it would be covered in books and cats.

Ahhh! Finally got my library organized. You can see it here:

reading room

And it all fits in one corner!

Os.
;-)

:O
/speechless

Gah! What if you actually want to read one of those books??

looks a bit like that game, is it called Jingo? something like that. if you want to read one, you better be a professional at that game!

Since I'm out of shelving this might actually work if it didn't crush me in the process.

Jenga!

We just recently renovated our townhome and, of course, I needed I new library.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32257906@N08/sets/72157620730715572/

OH!!! WOW!!! I am so envious - those are beautiful!

>151 Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

Gorgeous room Doondeck. Love the shelves, love the reading chair. Who's your little metallic buddy?

>153
That's a sculpture of my hero, Bobby Kennedy. It was done my son and presented as a retirement gift.

Ahh, I thought he looked vaguely familiar.

That is quite a library!

>151 Such a lovely library. I see you've got plenty of room for more books too.

That is really nice! I love the wall of books, and how it spills out into the dining room.

Doondeck @ 151 - Now that is a great place to spend time. If I can ask - were your bookcases custom, or part of a system/set?

>159
They were custom made. I used the same contractor and cabinet firm that renovated our kitchen.

Man would I love that space. My books are crammed into one room right now. Your library looks amazing!

Here is some pic of my humble collection. The photos represent about 60% of my library.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amantelibros/sets/72157621407456201/

I'm jealous off all of the great pictures. Currently all of my books have been regulated to my walk-in closet shelves, until I can get around to building my shelves in the living room.

>162, I couldn't stand to have all of my books in closets! I need to have them around me, so I can look at them.

#161, I am so envious. I would love to put books where there is some empty wall space.
My better half other won't let me. I would put them over door ways if I could. It makes the rooms look so cozy. :-)

Thanks # 164. I still have to convince my wife to let me spread my books to other rooms so I know what you are going through.

Psssssttttt! AmanteLibros,
Tell her about the patented WholeHouseLibrarySystem - where every book (save the ones that are used purely to impress visitors, and certain collections) are sorted according to the Dewey Decimal System. Each major section of the DDS is complete within a single room; some rooms have multiple sections. Tell you can get in on the ground floor of this amazing offer at absolutely ~no~ cost to you whatsoever.

Remind spouse of benefits in sound and temperature isolation due to lining your walls with books. Plus you save money not having to paper / paint walls thus covered ever again. ;-)

After the laughter died away, I may get an extra book case out of the deal. She loves books too but does not have the all consuming, crippling addiction that I do. Oh well, se la vie!

Good Call BarkingMatt!

Well, we remodeled. The kids had outgrown their indoor playspace. The library/office has become the family/game room. The library is now split between one end of the great room and my new study in the room right around the corner.

The Scandia shelving worked out wonderfully. Tearing down, moving, and reassembling was fairly straighforward, except for all those darn books. What a workout!

So, the library in post 68 is no more, but I love the new space, on Flikr here.

I suppose BarkingMatt would say that the east wall of the great room and three walls of the study are well insulated now. ;-)

Os.

Fabulous!

Very nice indeed!

*Tears of joy*

>170 - Is that Chaucer I spy on your bookstand?

>174
Yes...a facsimile Kelmscott, which is probably what gave it away in such a low-res photo.

Os.

>175 - It's difficult to mistake The Kelmscott Chaucer for something else, though possible. Yours is the buckram FS edition, perhaps?

>176
No. When FS issued its limited edition facsimile, I couldn't spend that much, so I looked for earlier facsimiles. This is a reasonably priced facsimile issued in 2007 by CRW press. Not the high quality facsimile of FS, but a nice facsimile anyway. Of course, after I bought this, FS came out with their more affordable edition in buckram. But I decided to stick with the edition I have.

Canterbury Tales read aloud in Middle English is just wonderful - "Wann that april with his shores soote/The draught of march hath perced to the roote..."

Os.

>177 - Ahh. From that position it's hard to tell, though I admit I wasn't looking very carefully. Makes me wonder what the price difference between the FS and CRW editions would be... I have the buckram FS edition thanks to the Spring Sale, if I haven't mentioned it before, but haven't gotten a chance to really get into it because access to my desk has been cut off.

My skill in pronouncing words (which I have not heard pronounced by someone else) is bad enough with modern English; I wouldn't even attempt Chaucer. :-)

>177

Ahh, memories! I remember having to memorize and recite that passage - in the Middle English - for my History of the English Language class in college. It really is very beautiful to hear aloud, and not so hard to recite once you've heard someone else do it. In fact, Middle English is just a beautiful language, period. I also took a class in Middle English Lit and everything we read was in the original ME, usually with no accompanying translation. A delightful challenge.

>178

I'm sure there are recordings of at least some of the "Tales" read in the original ME (I seem to recall hearing a scratchy old recording of Tolkien reading some Chaucer). As beatlemoon said, it is beautiful to hear aloud, and not hard to develop an ear for it. If you hear it read, you'll get the 'feel' of the pronunciation. The rhymes at the end of phrases help. But also, a lot of words that look strange on the page are easily understood when heard aloud (or with the right voice in your head while reading).

As far as the CRW edition is concerned, I'm pretty sure it was less than $100 (used, but in near-fine condition)

Os.

BTW, I updated the library photos on Flikr to higher resolution versions. The ones I put up there (post 170) were a bit too pixilated.

Os.

>180 - I really have to look into that; thanks!

That is a magnificent price difference... At least I got my FS Chaucer on sale, I suppose. And because it came with some issues, I'll be receiving another one, so issues aside, it's like two Chaucers for the price of half. Not that I really needed two, but anything to justify a purchase.

Here's mine:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28012453@N02/

great pictures stormraven, you've got a great looking (and very extensive! :)) library. I love the 'whole wall of books' effect!
Hopefully I should have some pictures to add here soon myself.

>151

Very lovely library. The space is so well used for the shelves and the furniture placement in the room as well.

Here are some pictures from our humble working room library. We probably still need many more years until our books multiplied enough to fill the house.

186- That is a gorgeous library. Thanks for sharing your pics.

Most of my library is made up of "assemble and finish yourself" kits found at a common building supply store. They're made by Whittier Wood Products (model 491w), and they've held up quite well for years. I recently added a couple of matching bookcases from a local unfinished furniture store. These were intended to flank a window in the library, and it didn't significantly increase the cost to have a bridge built to link them. One long shelf with matching trim, and the space over the window was turned into usable book space. I figured that would last me a couple of months, at least, but within a week of installing the bookcases I found an entire set of Zane Grey that I couldn't resist....time to go back to the nude furniture store for more bookcases, I guess.

I've also always wanted a rolling library ladder. I recently came across an old cruise ship bunk ladder. Made of mahogany and brass, it's a nice look and size for the bookshelves. A few lengths of 1/4" x 1" brass rails screwed right into the bookcases was all it took to make it work. It doesn't roll, but it's easy to store in a corner until needed. And now I can add another shelf above the old bookcases, too.


From Library



From Library



From Library

Neat!

Very nice!

*Love* the ladder, but my inner 'health-and-safety' inspector is worried: need the middle of your Zane Grey set in a hurry, up the ladder, lean sideways, foot slips, through the French windows....

Doesn't bear thinking about!

Of course you could always stand on your rather nice pedestal table - NO!, forget I said that. ;-)

Zane Grey is best with a little danger!

One of my additional duties in the U.S. Air Force was being a safety inspector. I have evaluated your working area and attached ladder. What you need is a restraining harness.

I wish....=)

There seem to be a lot of antiquarian books on the shelfs, but it´s a great view, just looking at them. Congratulations.

>151 Yours is a very impressive library; something for me to aim for.
>161 You have a series of brown books in picture DSC_0034a. Could you identify them for me they look vaugely familiare to me.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenjchow/4155817709/

It is not pretty, but it gets the job done :) Space is at a premium here, so the bed also serves as a "reading chair" and also makes those 15 lb artbooks easier to flip through!

My library is the fourth "bedroom" in our basement. There's no closet in it, so 3 undivided walls just for bookshelves. Recently this got too full so I added two more walls of an upstairs bedroom...

198 Lily -- I am drooling! So many books!

Yeah...now if I would only go read them instead of spending hours on LT chat!

Wow! Great library. Just the right balance between organisation and mayhem! And to think, somewhere in there are the 271 books we share.

Love your profile pic, btw. (I'm a photographer, not a peeping Tom.)

198- Amazing! Wow. What great bookshelves.

> 197: Actually using a bed as a reading chair is a pretty good idea. Hm, or maybe a hammock.

197: Nice "reading chair"! :D If I did that, I would never get any reading done. Sleeping would become my new hobby. Well, it already is, but you know what I mean.

198-200: Double drooling here. :) I wish I had my books all in one spot instead of spread all over the house. And that's probably LT's one downfall--it's too easy to socialize than read.

203: Yep, hammocks, bean bags--it's all good!

Now I need to find my digital camera...

I was thinking the same thing, but my collection's such a mess, I'm not gonna bother. Hope you share, though! :)

Couldn't find the camera, so I used my iSight instead - sorry if you can't define the books, folks! But do peek at my LT library list, it will give you an idea of the collection there.

I love the little mouse-over captions. So cool. And classics to comics? You do have eclectic taste. Thanks for sharing! :) I'll have to pop over to your library as soon as I can.

And ok, so I lied. Here's a photo I took after one of my major shopping sprees back in March: http://picasaweb.google.com/saraspicasawebalbum/SaraSBlatherings#531543636165582... . It was a biannual library sale, so don't think I normally take this many books home all the time. I can only wish. ;)

Nice collection! ;-)
Shelves are the essential tool for the collector, methink! There aren't enough shelves in the world.
Anyway, I cannot buy books, properly speaking, because I am unemployed and an undergraduate student (at age 33!), but I use BookMooch to get books for my studies and for pleasure. Luckily for you, I haven't taken a piccie of the top of the shelves or the 1930's art deco desk, you would scream in horror at the mess.

Good haul! I made it 107 books, is that right?

#210: Thanks, sonia. :) And yes, shelves are definitely a must. However, I've learned they're also optional if/when you run out of room (which I've already done--yikes!). Like you said: There aren't enough shelves in the world. :D

I cannot buy books, properly speaking -- Yep, I was going to mention trading books, but you beat me to it. :) I sometimes trade books at work (if--big IF--I have 1 or 2 I want to get rid of). And, of course, there's always the library. Reading's free, imho. :)

LOL @ you would scream in horror at the mess. Oh, believe me, I am nooo neat freak, so don't worry. That's mainly why I haven't posted pics here.

#211: I'm not sure if you meant me or one of the previous posts (we all have quite a few books), but thanks, if you did! :) And if you counted 107, I'd totally believe you. All I remember is that I spent $30-40, which made me so happy! :)

---

ETA: Technically, what I'm using in my pic wouldn't really qualify as shelves. They're just a couple emptied-out wooden boxes I found at my place. I may start using black crates like lilyfyrestorm's used above (good idea, btw) or more dresser drawers (which is great for pet-proofing, but terrible for perusing). Idk. It just never made sense to spend so much money on real shelves when the shelves cost more than the books they held. Or maybe I'm just cheap. ;)

>212 Yes, I meant you, with your excellent library sale scores!

Thank you, thank you. :) I can never pass up a book sale.

Oooooh! I forgot to take a piccie of the 'cookery' book shelf!

Updated my photos on flickr. Hope someone else like them as much as I do. I still am cramped in a small room but I think I am making the best of it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/?start_tab=sets

Amante, could you post the pic(s) in the actual thread for those of us that don't have a Yahoo account? Please?

call me silly but short of cut and paste the actual pic, how do you do that?

Not sure, never done it, but there is a thread, I think in the Green Dragon group talking about how to do it.

Thanks. I will look into it.

Our library (bookshelves wall)

does that work? anyone out there who can help me to post pictures directly to the page instead of linking to my flickr account?

Perfectly. Not sure why it wasn't coming up before, but for some reason it was wanting me to log into Yahoo.

Hi AmanteLibros. To post a picture directly on this site, you go to the Flickr page of you desired picture and click on all sizes. You select the size you desire to post, and then copy the URL of the image. Now, make sure the URL is of the image and not the page itself. You can find this URL by right clicking and either opening the image in a new tab or page, or copying the URL from the right click menu.
In your post, write: <img src="YOURURLSHOULDGOHERE">
That should post your image.

Lets see if this works.

AmantelLibros,

This a beautiful library. It looks surprisingly like mine.

In addition to 255 above, when you choose the size you wish to post, please don't pick anything above about 600 px wide as it will mess up this talk page, pushing everything to the right.

Also once you have clicked on All Sizes and then the size you want a URL should be available in a text box under the image for you to copy then paste here.

>221 Do you still collect National Geographic? I've stopped subscribing too much to read with all the other books I buy. The ones I have I store in the NG Leather Slipcases that they sell

http://www.shopnatgeo.co.uk/2008_Slipcase_p/6200297.htm

I think I have it. (I Hope) Thanks to all for the help

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4302507589_83254fcd3c.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/2513/4302507135_95b4e0d907.jpg

Thanks Doondeck. do you have a pic?

AmantelLibros,

It's the library you originally posted. Check it out:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/?start_tab=sets

Doondeck, I meant do you have a picture of your Library. If we have similar tastes I would love to see a shot of how you set it up.

AmanteLibros,

Just click on the link in Message 232. That's my library. It's the link you originally posted in Message 216.

Hope you enjoy seeing it.

#234: that link doesn't take us to YOUR pictures but to a set up for our pictures.... it doesn't have your account info in the link.

>222: OMG!!! Katanas on the bookshelf! I'm so envious! And careful... no one should even think of touching one of your books without your permission... :D

Here are my books. I've occupied a room in our basement that was supposed to be a storage room and made it my library. On the pics it's still rather unsorted - well, it's a work in progress all the time anyway, I'm constantly changing stuff... In the winter my dad and I will do some major work. We'll take out the bottom two shelves at the back (down where Shakespeare is living ATM) and put a couch there. And on the walls behind me taking the pics (so the walls you can't see) we'll put some more shelves to accommodate the books that were taken off those bottom shelves and more!

--

--

I had a room for my library, but then we got a housemate and my books had to go to the garage. Should have put the housemate out there . . .

Definitely

237 > Wow, that's beautiful! Jealous!

#237: Very organized! Thanks for sharing. :)

#238: Should have put the housemate out there . . .

There's still always time for that.

I thought y'all would enjoy this one:

http://www.geek.com/articles/geek-cetera/organizing-the-bookcase-from-dull-task-...

242 - Love that, thank you!

>242 That was more fun that I thought could be possible with books on a shelf! Had to share it on facebook

>244 That was where I found it!!

242 - Thanks!! I shared (the original YT link) on FB also. I come from a long line of booklovers and I married one too, and the (grown) kids and their spouses also read, so I knew this would have a good audience.

My pleasure, everyone! With fun, creative things like that, the more sharing, the better!

I just bought me a camera and had a little whirl around my house taking pictures where my heart finds joy.

(the web album I refered to no longer exists. I'm in the process of replacing it.)
here's one pic:

@248 - The ceramics are pretty special too.

Love the teapots, and the grape hat is fabulous!

Knick knacks, knick knacks. I love 'em.

Twenty plus years in the same spot, with a penchant for yard sale/flea market treasures, and I've had someone comment that my house is like experiencing Disneyland on acid.
I like it.
I was surprised at the first comment about ceramics, as I didn't photograph the main collection, just the coincidental overflow. I LOVE pastel teapots, bowls and pitchers!
Glad to find like-minded souls.

2wonderY,

What you have there is a lovely little bookshop. I would love to shop your shelves! Great collection!

I don't have many books but it seems that I need more shelves anyway so ignore the stacks. There's another shelf that's not in the picture and the boys have their own built-ins in their room which I don''t have a picture of yet.

ETA link
http://www.librarything.com/pic/193074

"ignore the stacks"

...and "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain"

;^)

Lovely shelves - did you build them?

And what instruments are those next to the chair?

#255 My husband built them, but I was really good about supervising.

#256 That's a violin and a viola next to the chair, it's also my favorite room to practice in.

What a beautiful room!

What a comfy-looking room! John Buchan said that books make the best decor for a room. :-)

#258 Thank you!
#259 It really is quite comfy, I'd live in it if I had my druthers.

Some interesting photos here: http://adrianeherman.typepad.com/plunder_the_influence/the-stacks.html

I just put pictures of my shelves up on my blog:
http://susie-bookworm.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-library.html

Love the dollhouse!

Love seeing everyone's photos. I've put my photos in my profile. Here is one for a sample:



-Kim K

Kim- the shoes are.....?

Nice, but could you delete the duplicate post 264? The large image is distorting the browser screen.

Sorry about that. I went back and edited the original post (so I thought) to make it smaller but somehow I simply got two posts. Yikes! Fixed now.

The shoes are part of our collection. They are "Tom Swift" brand shoes and Tom Swift books are a major collection for us. My husband, James, is an expert on Tom Swift and the Stratemeyer Syndicate. Most of the Tom Swift stuff is in the dining room but the shoes and some of the TS Jr. books are in this room with many of the other collections.

#262 - Love the doll-house - the combination of books and miniature furniture is quite surreal.

Sorry to have to tell you, though - as you get older, that pile of missmatched socks never goes away!

Fantastic!

#262 I love that dollhouse. Another musician I see what do you play?
#265 that is just beautiful, and well organized what's your secret?

It is not as well organized as we might like but that is mostly because we don't have enough room.

As for how we do it--my husband gathers each type of collection together so the time travel books are doubleshelved (again, no room) in two bookscases in the right corner, for instance. They are arranged by author (but split hardcover and paperback because of the bookcase sizes). In another bookcase next to it is the Disney book to Film (books that inspired Disney films) which are arranged chronologically by film (so the upper left book is Snow White and it goes from there).

My husband is very good at arranging books and he choses an arrangement that suits the purpose of the collection and makes it easier for us to find the book when we want it.

From time to time we reorganize or shift books around. When he cataloged for LT we did some straightening (and found a few duplicates which we will part with) as we went. After all, he scanned more than half of our books to get their covers on LT.

The Guardian book blog is collecting images on flickr, some look great http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2011/may/19/book-shelf-flickr-group-ph...

#271: I play trombone and French horn. Somehow I've ended up with two of each instrument.

#269: But if I get enough mismatched socks that are at least somewhat close to the same color, then I can make new matches! And there's always the chance that I'll find the missing ones the next time we do a thorough cleaning of the house.

In a store recently I saw offered for sale deliberately mismatched socks; perhaps you can just wear them and be trendy!

>274
My mother plays the flute and I'm pretty sure she's got more than one. She also has a violin somewhere, even though she doesn't play and I don't either.

Very beautiful library, inspiring. Thanks for sharing. The amount of topics in your library is impressive.

#272 I always start out with good intentions for organization but then as the books keep mysteriously reproducing and I run out of space, I end up with a more darwinian system. maybe next time is the charm.

Just FYI out there; the June, 2011 issue of "Popular Woodworking Magazine" has an article and construction plans for reproducing Thomas Jefferson's Monticello library stacking bookshelves. Tho' only a beginner, I hope to build a few for my library. You can read the article on-line at www.popularwoodworking.com (I think).

Want to be inspired? Check out the slideshow of great bookstores:

http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/05/15/trazzler_slide_show_beautiful_books...

Great link! I've been to a few (they weren't kidding about the great selection and steep prices at Argosy), but I'm very intrigued by the King Books in Detroit. Looks like the setting for a post-apocalypse movie.

I am trying to talk my wife into a weekend trip to King's Books. Maybe she will agree to go to Windsor.

>281

I was just thinking it would be a great fortress if you need to hold off zombies or something. It looks like the roof is mostly setup up for guards anyway. Like a bookstore in a Mad Max movie.

King's is great!! I love getting "lost" in there for HOURS!!!

(need to plan for a trip there soon.... really soon)

I am sorry about the structural problems with your house, but I REALLY do like your library.

279> I'm rather intrigued. I might have to go find if I can find popular woodworking somewhere. Having just moved into my first apartment I'm in need of bookcases, and these seem somehow appropriate.

OK, why not combine adventure sports with finding a book on your bookshelf?

Ha! I actually kind of like that idea. :)

I suppose there's also a winch on the other end of the chain. (pun intended)
Os.

Picturing my kids bungy jumping along the book shelves.

Aaargh ;-)

All I can think of is Wile E. Coyote and his inevitable constructions. Where is the Acme trade mark?

#290 yep, my sons would destroy it or themselves within in a week.

286 - I've finished a prototype set in pine..they look pretty good, and aren't too difficult. Will commence another set in poplar this month. My ultimate goal is to build a set in cherry, tho' TJ had his done in simple woods, probably pine and birch - more utilitarian than decorative...

I just have to share this here, I am so excited. My BF (with help from my mom, who is going to pick it up for us) just bought me this:



My library is becoming a real library more and more each day!

Oh, and you do need something like that with your shelves up to the ceiling. How very elegant! And good for cat sprawl, too.

Shelves up to the ceiling and me being very short :D

divinenanny, I am insanely jealous.

I want!!

Wonderful!

One very cool set of steps!!

I think 300, (301 now) is enough for a photo-based thread.

I've started a new thread here.

Somewhere in this group's threads, someone asked about library bookstands, and some sharing of bookstand photos and related info took place. I don't recall which thread that was in, so I'm posting this here, as it is related and probably will be seen by those that have an interest.

The library bookstand I have wanted for years (waiting for a good sale but not willing to pay the full price), is now at what looks to me like a closeout price (about 47% long-term list price and now on their 'Outlet' page). Unfortunately, I am now one of the long-term unemployed, and cannot even consider such a purchase (I have a perfectly functional, but much lesser quality, stand already). So, after all these years, it's probably going to disappear from the Levenger line at a time when I cannot take advantage of this price.

Oh, well - my LT friends who need and can afford such a thing may benefit. Look here - http://www.levenger.com/Furnishings-5/Furniture-20592/Tables---Stands-22/Frankli...

Levenger being a US company, I'm not sure it's going to be reasonable for my overseas friends, however, but you can always check. I have no personal or financial connection with Levenger, but have purchased many library and reading related items from them over the years, including some smaller wood desktop stands and such. I've been quite happy with all that I've bought from them.

Os.

BTW, I'd love to hear from anyone who purchases this item - perhaps a photo of it in your home, and comments on how you like it. Also, of course, I'd not complain if, in future, you decided to sell it, and contacted me first. And, feel free to put my name on it in your will. :-)

Because of the very thread you mentioned, I had to have one for fear that they would indeed disappear. I had been looking around for a used one that was affordable, like an old lectern, but people just don't want to let them go for a reasonable price. It arrived about a month ago. I love it, I love it, I do, I do. It does take some assembly though and the magnifying orb will arrive in a separate parcel from the stand. The primary box is rather heavy. Best beloved, aka LT member samthepaintman, is quite handy and got it together fairly quickly. He did look upon it with some dispair as another darn book thing. Right now it's giving support to a giant atlas I got from the Folio Society and some oversized art books. Os, I hope you find a way to get one, I'm sure you would enjoy it.

Thanks for the heads up, I'm seriously considering it though it's still expensive, but I don't think I would ever regret buying it.

I've mentioned board and bracket bookshelves before and had people scratch their heads and say "Hunh?"

So here is a picture of the floor to ceiling board and bracket bookshelves in my bedroom. They are really cheap and don't require much in the way of carpentry skills.