Attacking the Library

I need a plan for this sea of books my room has become. Earlier in the week I went around the house pulling out books that had been squirreled away and were certainly not being read. But it is quite clear there are way too many books for the existing shelf space. I badly need a plan for this project before it spirals out of control.

The real question (much as with wardrobe pruning) boils down to “What do you really need access to? What are you likely to want to pull off the shelf in the next 5 years?”

I can venture to say it will likely not be Calculus and Analytic Geometry or Playtraining Your Puppy (which may never again happen) or Bible Stories for Jewish Children (it’s too late for my children and too early for grandchildren) or Spock’s Baby and Child Care. So if they come off the shelf, do they get donated somewhere, land in the trash can, or get boxed up and put in the attic?

Then on to novels, the most numerous of the many books. Do you keep the ones you read and liked or move them on to someone else to read and like?

What about travel books? Do you keep Europe from $70 a Day now that it’s at least $100? Most travel books are dated the month after they are published. My guess is we will probably buy a new travel guide for any upcoming trip.

We have a considerable number of books on sex which I have never read including, a set of 6 CD’s entitled “Enlightened Sex.” Do you suppose it is not too late to become enlightened?

I came across 5 books borrowed from 5 different people. Some I’ve read. Some I’ve yet to read. Do I sheepishly offer them back to those who loaned them or just assume they have forgotten about them and/or don’t have room on their bookshelves for them either?

I’m really interested in doing this right this time, instead of taking the Band-aid approach I have always used that manages to get rid of just enough to accommodate what won’t fit otherwise.

This project should keep me occupied for the next day or two. I can’t wait to see the result!