How to Create a Library in Your Garage

The feeling of a clean, de-junked house is wonderful. Though the feeling usually leaves when you see the state of the garage, where all the stuff formerly in the house has been moved. An easy, effective way to create a similarly serene environment in the garage is to create a library, which can be used for other items than just books.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Edit those books. Just because they are in the garage doesn’t mean they are keepers. Recycle some, donate others. Be ruthless. Really what good is a book to you if you’ll never crack it open again? Let someone else enjoy it.

2. Sort out remaining books. Photo albums in one area, science fiction in another pile and so on. You can get as detailed as you like. Set up your own Dewey Decimal system if so inclined.

3. Count them up. Now that all your books are keepers, figure out how much shelving you need. Line them up along the side of the garage. Make sure there is enough room for the car (and for you to exit it).

4. Protect the books. If your bookcases don’t have doors (like a lawyer’s bookcase) perhaps you want to make plastic curtains for them. Garages get a lot of wear and tear.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t get your hopes up about making a lot of money with all the books you plan to sell to a book dealer. It probably won’t happen.
• Keep an eye out for first edition books. They may be worth something.