Henry David Thoreau wrote, "How many a man has dated a new era in his life from the reading of a book." I love books! So does my husband ... and my kids ... even the baby is showing interest (with his teeth).

 

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Loving and reading books are wonderful. Keeping books beyond their usefulness to you leads to clutter. So what do you do when your shelves are overflowing, and your books are piled on the floor or hidden away in boxes — taking up valuable storage space?

Here are some guidelines to help you create space for the books you treasure most.

Plan First

Decide how much space you're willing to allocate to your books. I don't recommend going out and buying new bookshelves at this stage, but I do suggest you wrestle with the question of how much is enough.

Your collection of books does not represent your knowledge. It's okay to let them go. José Hobday, Franciscan sister and author of my favorite book, Simple Living: The Path to Joy and Freedom, keeps exactly 42 books in her home at any given time. She keeps six books that she could not live without, and the other 36 change depending on her latest speaking assignment. Books are her passion, so maintaining her limit requires a great deal of discipline. But her freedom is worth it.

Sort Your Books into Categories

You don't have to make any decisions at this point, but resist the temptation to page through each book. Categories might include fiction, art, travel, spirituality, home and garden, health, parenting ... whatever categories make sense to you. Visit a library or bookstore for ideas.

Decide Which Books to Keep

Keep books you often refer to; quality, timeless children's books (if you have children that live in or frequently visit your home); and books that inspire you again and again.

Some books are worth keeping simply because they make you smile when you see them. You might even want to incorporate these into your decorating scheme. Stack a few books beneath a display of favorite teacups or collectibles in a curio or shelf to instantly add height and charm. Granted, this is not ideal storage for books. If proper archival storage is a
concern, be sure to visit the Library of Congress preservation website at www.loc.gov/preserv/care/books.html.

Let Go of the Rest

Which books are easiest to eliminate? Duplicate copies of books you discovered in the sorting process. Cookbooks with recipes that are outdated, unhealthy, or that you simply don't have the time — or taste — for. Textbooks you haven't cracked open since college.

"But what if I need it someday?" is a common question about textbooks. Chances are that by the time you do need it, the information will be obsolete and/or a new edition (or three) will have come out. If you're still in doubt, ask yourself a few questions:

 

• When did I last read this?
• How hard would it be to find another copy if I needed it?

Remember, the library is your friend!

 

Perhaps this truth will help you, too: Your collection of books does not represent your knowledge. It's okay to let them go.

How to let go depends on how much work you're willing to do. Here are a few ways to give your books new homes.

 

• Sell. List your books online at half.com or ebay.com, or visit a used bookstore for cash on the spot. I made hundreds of dollars selling my textbooks online after graduate school, even though it had been five years since graduation.
  
  
• Swap. Earn credits for new books through book swapping programs such as Titletrader.com or Paperbackswap.com.
  
  
• Donate. Most libraries accept used books. While they may be selective about which books actually make it into circulation, they often offer the remaining donated books for sale at their fundraisers. Other organizations also appreciate book donations, so check your local hospitals, women's/children's shelters, early childhood education programs, children's reading programs and senior centers.
  
  
• Recycle. If all else fails, remember that books are made of paper and can be recycled.

When you've finished simplifying your book collection, make it easy to keep it neat, useful and organized by grouping according to category and size. Choose sturdy shelves that won't sag under the weight of all that paper. Finally, each time you add a new book to your collection, enjoy the freedom of letting another one go.

 

About Jennifer Swanson

Jennifer Swanson is a professional organizing consultant, speaker, writer and active mother of three. She is a regular contributor to several publications, including her own popular monthly e-zine, where she offers practical ideas and encouragement to help you simplify your life. For more tips and a free e-zine subscription, visit www.JenniferSwanson.com .