How to Build a Bookcase and Organize Your Books

In the age of electronics and e-readers one would think traditional books were going out of style. E-devices are practical for the traveler and for those with limited space in their bags. It may be convenient but nothing beats the feel of a hard-pressed paperback novel or hard cover thriller in your hands. If you're a traditionalist and collect books you'll want to create a bookcase and organize them for easy access.

Some of the items you will require are milk crates; these will hold the books themselves, zip ties to hold the whole thing together, screws and a drill or screw driver and finally a stud finder. Remember that it's always best to mount your bookcase to the wall studs for safety. Books are heavy and knowledge can kill - if they fall on you.

Organizing your books can take some time but it will be well worth the trouble and a lot of fun. Planning ahead will save you time and could keep you from developing a headache. Knowing what the end result will be can get you motivated enough to get the job done.

The first step is to collect as many milk crates as you can which are the best and can be easily relocated. Lay a row of crates along your chosen wall. These crates come in many sizes and colors. The 12 inch by 12 inch crates provide a sturdy foundation. With the top or open end facing out fasten each crate to the next using a zip tie. Now you have the bottom row of your book shelf.

The next step is to add a second row of crates on top of the first. With more zip ties you will fasten the second row to each other as well as fasten the bottom row to the top row. Continue this process until you have reached your intended height or you run out of crates. Remember that the higher you go the more books it will hold and the heavy it will become.

Once you have completed your bookcase you need to mount it to the wall. Using the stud finder fasten the whole rig to the wall with screws. The screws need to be long enough so that it will penetrate the milk crate, drywall and the stud. All you have to do now is add your books. Organizing them alphabetically by author or title can make it easier to find a book and give you a clean looking library.

A helpful hint for more space: When you are creating the first row of milk crates you can separate them approximately eight inches apart. As you place the second row on top of the first you will cover the gaps with a crate and tie them down. This will give you additional space between the crates as well as a staggered effect for more style.

It's worthy to note that with over five hundred miles of shelf space the Library of Congress houses almost thirty million items. Some of the items housed there are books, comics, manuscripts, films, maps and recordings. The Gutenberg Bible, printed in the mid 1400's resides there as well.