Do you recall that scene in Beauty and the Beast where Belle discovers the library in the castle she’s being held captive in? She’s been distraught by the gravity of her situation with the Beast. But she finds comfort and even happiness in the library overflowing with stacks of books. That level of happiness is almost unmatched. It’s the same with all book lovers. So it’s a dream for them to build a library at home.
But building a home library is not as easy as it might sound, though. It’s not just a matter of putting books on shelves in a room. There are some important things to consider. So here is a guide for you to keep in mind some things as you plan and build your library at home.
The Perfect Room
First and foremost, you need to have the proper space to convert into a library. It won’t be of much use if it’s small and cramped. You need to have enough space for the shelves. You also need to have some space for a study table or desks. And, of course, you also need to have some space for lounge chairs. After all, what’s a library when you’re not even comfortable with spending hours in it?
You will also need to start thinking about the mood of the room. Is it the kind of place where your children can spend time as they play? Would you have a play mat in the middle of the room, heaping with stuffed toys and beanbag chairs? Or is it the kind of room where the adults can find peace in? All of these are up to you and your family’s needs.
Controlling the Climate
Many people forget about this part, but the levels of climate are essential to the books. So controlling the climate is a crucial step to preserving books. Researchers have proved time and time again that temperature, light, humidity, and pollutants all play a role in this. This is why libraries tend to favor installing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).
After finding the perfect room to build your library in, get in touch with the best HVAC contractors. Ensuring that you have a good HVAC system will keep your books in good condition. You won’t have to worry about the expensive first editions of classic books that you invested in.
The Right Amount of Light
Lighting is, of course, a crucial part of the library. It sets the mood of the room. And it keeps readers engaged by eliminating the struggle with seeing the pages properly. It’s perfect if you have huge windows that let in a lot of natural light. You might even be lucky to have skylights! Those are perfect for readers looking to lounge in the room.
But you also have to find the proper lamps and overhead lights to help when the natural light faded. You can set up these sources of light on the desks and near the lounge chairs.
Strong and Sturdy Shelves
Before buying or building the shelves that you want to use, consider first the books you have. Do you have many heavy-duty coffee table books? Or do you have more paperback books? The size and weight matter because they will determine the sturdiness of the material that you’ll need. If you have many heavy books, then it’s best to go for strong planks of solid wood. If you have lighter books, then you can get away with shelves made of glass or plastic.
It’s also good to have floor-to-ceiling shelves if you have that many books. It maximizes the space of the room. And you might as well fully capture the image from Beauty and the Beast anyway, right?
Organizing to Your Preferences
When everything in the room is all set up, the next thing you have to think about is your books’ organization. You arrange your books according to the genre and the authors’ names. You can opt to arrange them according to their size. There are no rules for this. It really depends on what you and your family needs.
Having a home library is a dream come true for book lovers. It gives them a space dedicated to their love for literature. It’s also good for your kids. Studies prove that children who grow up surrounded by books experience a boost in their education as they ascend at school. It also helps them build a character that’s well-oriented with history and culture. And it helps them create lasting relationships with their peers. A home library is especially beneficial to them now that they’re going through remote learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They need to have all the resources that they might need for their studies.
So, really, with the proper setup, everyone in the family can enjoy and benefit from a library at home.
