Cleaning off the bookshelves today....I need help!

[Tammy in Germany]

I'm purging our bookshelves today. I can't believe how many books we have. I'm trying to decide what to keep and what to pass on. How do you decide this??? I'm like, maybe I'll need it again....ohhhhhhhh! Anyone want to come help?:confused:

[Snickerdoodle]

I sent you a pm...

[Txmom]

I put all like subjects together, then see if I can use any of them in upcoming years, like history, or grammar, or writing, then the ones I cannot I sell or take to half price books and resale there. 'Linda:p

[Annie N]

This is what I am trying to use: Eschew the good for the great.

I realized that if I kept buying and keeping all the good books I run across, then I will have way too many books. So I have decided that I only have room for great books, and am weeding out the merely good.

[Lolly]

I'm no help. I just keep them all. I cannot get rid of good books.

[GreenKitty]

I have the same problem with books:rolleyes:

Though 'sometimes' I get in the mood to go through them and only keep the ones that are favorites.

[Elisabeth in IL]

Someday in my future dream home, I'm going to have a library. The room is going to have those large almost floor to ceiling windows, giant bookshelves inbetween those large windows, a fireplace and a hidden window seat! I'll have plenty of room for all my books and even more.

What a beautiful dream!!!!!!!!!!:p

[Tammy in Germany]

Elisabeth...I love your dream...that's my dream to.:D I decided to donate about 100 books to the thrift shop on post and give the rest away to friends. Since cleaning off that...I was able to restore order to the shelves and keep all my resources together.

[Sharon H in IL]

I decided to donate about 100 books to the thrift shop on post and give the rest away to friends. Since cleaning off that...I was able to restore order to the shelves and keep all my resources together.

Good for you! I decide what to keep of my books based upon several criteria:
- classics in good condition that I will want to use later
- reference works in good condition to be consulted later
- paperbacks I'm currently reading or on my To Read list
- recently read books that were important to my understanding of the world
- parenting books that I want to be able to loan out or quote from in writing or posting

For the children:
- classics in good condition
- historical eras we haven't gotten to yet
- historical eras we will return to, if the book isn't too easy for the age the kids will be
- science books that are interesting to read
- age-appropriate experiment books (current age and up)

I get rid of easy readers once my children are in chapter books. I move out twaddle as fast as possible (e.g., Spider-man picture books). I get rid of historical books that are not going to be re-used once my boys have finished them.