How To Organize a Book Collection

Do you like books?Do you own more books than bookshelves?Do friends call you a bookworm?It's nice to have a lot of books, but it can be hard to find the one you want.To ensure that your books are kept in order and can always be found when you want them, here are some simple but effective ways to organize your book collection.

Step 1: How do you think about books?

Do you divide them into story type, color, size, genre, title or author?There are many ways to organize books.The most important thing is that you pick the method that appeals to you.The following sections set forth various tried-and-true methods for organizing a book collection; it's recommended that you pick the approach that appeals to you the most.

Step 2: All of your books should be sorted by author or title.

If you're good at remembering names, this method will work well.You can find a book in a series easily if you put books by the same author together.If you're a reader who can barely remember the name of the author or the book, this method is less successful.You will need to try a different approach in such a case.For more suggestions, see the Subject Method below.

Step 3: The books should be placed on the shelf.

If you want to make the bookcase stable, it is best to put heavier books on the lower shelves and lighter books in the higher shelves.There is a size order which makes this method visually appealing.This method might be right for you if you remember books by their size or shape.

Step 4: You can sort books by color.

The book's color or colorful style/depictions on the cover is highly memorable for some people and instantly draws them back to each and every book read.If you love arranging things by color in your home, this could be a great décor statement, as well as an easy way to retrieve your books.

Step 5: You can sort your books by topic.

This means dividing the books into different categories such as romance, science, philosophy, biographies, how-to manual, and so on.There is another pile.Divide fiction and non-fiction.This method encourages the division between fiction and non-fiction books.The same bookshelf can be used to place fiction novels on the top shelf and woodworking manuals on its bottom shelf.Keeping romance novels in the bedroom can be accomplished by using different bookshelves across the house.

Step 6: Determine how much shelf space is required for each topic.

It's wise to assume that you need more space than less, since stray books will always turn up in need of shelving, and you'll add to your collection over time.

Step 7: You can place the books by topic on the shelves.

In some cases, you might want to add some items to the shelf, such as figurines, photos or collectibles.

Step 8: Pick an identifying mark for the subject or genre.

If it's easy for you to remember where you placed the books, this method is optional.Colored Stickers are available from a library supply company or be prepared to cover the sticker in permanent tape if you need to further clarify the topics.Duct tape becomes sticky over time, so don't pack it as it yellow, crack and peel.Colored Cloth Tape works well for this task.Use a permanent marker to write a letter or identify a genre.For example: Romance, Mystery, Religion, and Biographies.As an exception for books that use the same color as your label, use a white label and use marker in the chosen color, because what shows up well on one cover may not show up at all on a different color.If you need your book collection to stay intact when packed, these are great to use.

Step 9: If you keep a book collection on your desk, you can organize it to make your work more effective.

Take a look at the books on your desk.What books do you think are necessary for a desk book collection?Books that are currently important for writing, editing or calculating are usually the books you need to reach for almost every time you're at your desk.If you want to get around to reading novels and books that are more interesting than what you're supposed to be getting on with, you need to check out books like manuals that aren't as necessary.Remove anything that isn't being used often or serving as a distraction.

Step 10: For your book collection, use a small part of your desk.

The rule of books on a desk is to keep them to a minimum.The desk is used for papers, the computer and open books.Anything else is not worth the risk of getting in the way of a small desk.A small portable shelf that can be picked up by hand with the books still on it, books held upright between portable bookends, and shelving hanging above the desk on the wall are some of the ideas for shelves on or near desks.

Step 11: The books should be arranged according to use.

The lesser used but still useful ones can be placed further away from where you're seated if you put the most used as close to your reach as possible.Keep it simple.After using books, always return them to their proper shelves.You can't get back to study or work if you have a lot of books on your desk.

Step 12: This technique can be used as a sub-technique.

If you store books in more than one place, it will work.You may have other places to store your books.The whole room is similar to desktop organisation.If you want to organize your books by how often you look at them, you have to decide where you read the most.If you want to read a book as soon as possible, you should move it closer to your reading area.If a book is only used occasionally, you may want to move it further away from you.This technique can be used with other techniques.