Q&A for How to Store Books

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  • Question
    What do I do with a lot of books?
    Ashley Moon, MA
    Professional Organizer
    Ashley Moon is the Founder and CEO of Creatively Neat, a virtual organizing and life coaching business based in Los Angeles, California. In addition to helping people organize their best life, she has a fabulous team of organizers ready to de-clutter your home or business. Ashley hosts workshops and speaking engagements at various venues and festivals. She has trained with Coach Approach and Heart Core for organizing and business coaching respectively. She has an MA in Human Development and Social Change from Pacific Oaks College.
    Professional Organizer
    Expert Answer
    You might consider donating some of the books you're not reading. There are a lot of excellent charities that take books. Otherwise, you can store the books you don't regularly use in banker boxes to keep them in good condition.
  • Question
    How should I organize books on my shelf?
    Ashley Moon, MA
    Professional Organizer
    Ashley Moon is the Founder and CEO of Creatively Neat, a virtual organizing and life coaching business based in Los Angeles, California. In addition to helping people organize their best life, she has a fabulous team of organizers ready to de-clutter your home or business. Ashley hosts workshops and speaking engagements at various venues and festivals. She has trained with Coach Approach and Heart Core for organizing and business coaching respectively. She has an MA in Human Development and Social Change from Pacific Oaks College.
    Professional Organizer
    Expert Answer
    There are many different ways you can organize them. You might organize them by subject, so you can find a book easily. Alternatively, you can place the books you love or frequently reference out in front.
  • Question
    How do I keep track of my book collection?
    Ashley Moon, MA
    Professional Organizer
    Ashley Moon is the Founder and CEO of Creatively Neat, a virtual organizing and life coaching business based in Los Angeles, California. In addition to helping people organize their best life, she has a fabulous team of organizers ready to de-clutter your home or business. Ashley hosts workshops and speaking engagements at various venues and festivals. She has trained with Coach Approach and Heart Core for organizing and business coaching respectively. She has an MA in Human Development and Social Change from Pacific Oaks College.
    Professional Organizer
    Expert Answer
    I recommend using a notes app on your phone, a Google Docs spreadsheet, or a pen and paper. Keeping a list prevents you from forgetting and neglecting your books.
  • Question
    How do you store books efficiently?
    Caitlin Jaymes
    Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist
    Caitlin Jaymes is a Closet Organizer and Fashion Stylist based in Los Angeles, California. With a background in Fashion PR and Fashion Design, she specializes in creating wardrobes for her clients with pieces they already own. She has experience working with celebrities, editorial shoots, and men and women of all ages. Caitlin uses fashion and organization to help instill and influence confidence, ambition, and stress-free lifestyles for all her clients. She runs her business by two guiding principles: “fashion has no rules, only guidance on how to look and feel your best” and “life has too many stressors, don’t let clutter be one of them.” Caitlin’s work has been featured on HGTV, The Rachael Ray Show, VoyageLA, Liverpool Los Angeles, and the Brother Snapchat Channel.
    Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist
    Expert Answer
    You can categorize the books and store them according to your needs. Keep the ones you use at a place you can access easily. Store the others wherever it is convenient.
  • Question
    How can you make your bookshelf look appealing?
    Caitlin Jaymes
    Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist
    Caitlin Jaymes is a Closet Organizer and Fashion Stylist based in Los Angeles, California. With a background in Fashion PR and Fashion Design, she specializes in creating wardrobes for her clients with pieces they already own. She has experience working with celebrities, editorial shoots, and men and women of all ages. Caitlin uses fashion and organization to help instill and influence confidence, ambition, and stress-free lifestyles for all her clients. She runs her business by two guiding principles: “fashion has no rules, only guidance on how to look and feel your best” and “life has too many stressors, don’t let clutter be one of them.” Caitlin’s work has been featured on HGTV, The Rachael Ray Show, VoyageLA, Liverpool Los Angeles, and the Brother Snapchat Channel.
    Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist
    Expert Answer
    You can arrange the books based on color. You can keep your favorite books and impressive-looking books on top to make your bookshelf more appealing.
  • Question
    Will bay leaves help protect my books from bugs?
    Community Answer
    Yes, they can.
  • Question
    If the box is not completely full, what material is best to fill the space? Should I use paper, bubble wrap, or something else?
    Community Answer
    You should use bubble wrap.
  • Question
    I have a bookshelf beside a window and against an outside wall of the house. I've noticed the books being cold and having a slick texture. Is this due to the cold weather or a problem with humidity?
    Community Answer
    Being cold doesn't help, but humidity is the bigger problem and explains the slick texture.
  • Question
    Should I store my books in plasitic cellophane collector bags? I have been told not to because books need to 'breathe.'
    Community Answer
    You should store your books on shelves. If you don't have a bookshelf, then you can buy some at furniture stores. If you cannot do that, then stack storage containers on top of each other with the open side facing out. Use shallow ones. Then, put the lids on when you are not selecting a book.
  • Question
    Is it a good idea to store books flat in an archival box?
    Community Answer
    It may not be a good idea, as you will need to look at the book titles in order to look at your books. Also, it might be hard if you have a lot of books, as you would need to take all of the books out to look at the book hiding at the bottom.
  • Question
    Is there something I can add to plastic containers to absorb moisture if I am trying to preserve books?
    Community Answer
    One idea is to use a desiccant. After a bit of research, it appears many places sell silica bags, which is a common desiccant in various products. I did find an article on making your own also, with various materials that might be more budget-friendly (such as salt, rice, and powdered non-dairy creamer). These are not all equally effective, so you might want to tailor your DIY bags to the ingredient that best suits your purpose and budget.
  • Question
    What is the right way to store books if they are in the back of a church pew?
    Sunny Gallant
    Community Answer
    Upright, title facing the person in the pew - NOT spine-upward. This is hard on the spine and hinge and will shorten the life of the book.
  • Question
    Is it bad to store books standing horizontally in a pull out shelf so they are standing with the spine facing the ceiling?
    Community Answer
    The book might bend in this position if it is a paperback. If it is a hardcover, then it will probably be okay.
  • Question
    This year I started high school and my family doesn't get rid of books so I now have books on the floor of my room. They are mostly textbooks. My library is full. What should I do?
    Charlize Barnes
    Community Answer
    Get another bookshelf or put your extra books in a basement
  • Question
    Can I store my books in a closed cupboard? If so, at what periodical intervals it is suggested to clean them?
    Community Answer
    This shouldn't be done unless the cupboard is ventilated. Lack of airflow promotes mold.
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