Book hoarding is a habit that bookworms just can’t get rid of — whether you’re collecting a book series or simply seeing an interesting title and blurb that guilt-trip you into buying it.
While buying books that you may or may not read isn’t a bad thing, it can create a lot of household clutter if you don’t have a system for sorting your growing collection of literature. That’s why it’s crucial to keep your book collection within a manageable number to avoid problems in the long run.
That said, here are tips on how to organize and clean your home library.
1. Declutter Your Collection
The first step towards organizing your collection is to declutter.
Although you want to keep any books that bring you joy or have sentimental value, you probably have a limited space left that’s why you need to let go of some.
So, whether you’re just starting to build a home library or you’ve been collecting books your entire life, consider doing an inventory of what is currently in your collection.
Consider removing all books from your shelves, nightstands, tables, and elsewhere in your house.
Put all the books you want to keep on the floor. Place in a box those that you can donate to charities. Also, toss away damaged ones in a trash bag.
Damaged books can be upcycled or recycled, or you can dispose of them by calling for a free junk removal service, especially if you’re throwing away dozens of books.
2. Decide How To Arrange
How you choose to arrange your books will depend entirely on you. Should you try to alphabetize by author or title? Do you want to organize them by genre or subject? Maybe, you want your books to be arranged based on height or thickness? Or consider color-coding if you prefer a decorative and aesthetic-looking shelf.
Only you can decide what will make the most sense for your home library. As long as you can find what you want when you need it, the rest will be about your personal preference.
3. Books Should Be Where You Need Them Most
Most book lovers will have books in every room. That said, you want to keep it organized and put the relevant books where they’re most useful.
It means that your kid’s favorite storybooks should go to their bedroom, cookbooks in the pantry or kitchen, favorite novels in your bedroom or living room, educational and business books in the home office or study rooms, and so on.
4. Leverage A Cataloging App
If you’re still overwhelmed by the idea of organizing your collection, you can take note from librarians on how they arrange books— cataloging. Fortunately, numerous online programs and apps can help you do this.
Some apps may even have a barcode scanner that makes things a lot easier. Some may help you keep notes on who borrowed your book and track each book’s location if you have several shelves in multiple rooms. You’ll also know if you already own a copy of a specific one so that you don’t have to buy another one.
5. Clean and Maintain
Once you have your collection sorted and arranged, you must maintain it. Anyone who has seen an old bookshelf will know how dusty a book collection can get.
So, consider these tips for keeping your books clean and maintained:
- Dust Books Regularly: This should be done at least once a week using microfiber clothing or a soft brush.
- Remove Bookmarks Or Papers From The Pages Before Shelving: These items may discolor or crease pages when left too long.
- Store Books Away From Sunlight: The harsh UV rays can cause warping and fading. As much as possible, bookshelves should be away from direct sunlight. Otherwise, you can add doors or curtains to shield the shelves from direct sunlight exposure.
- Keep Pests Away: Rodents and insects can wreak havoc on your favorite collection. So, watch out for signs of infestations. If you find any signs of pests, make sure to vacuum the entire area. You can also contact a pest control professional if you experience an intensive infestation.
Take Away
And there you have it!
Your home library can be a great source of joy when organized well. Books allow you to travel through different times, locations, and genres in the comfort of your own home. That said, the joy and esteem of having a good collection can turn into frustration if you have a disorganized bookshelf.
So, keep in mind the above tips to keep your home library organized and clean.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
