How to Light Your Book Collection

No book collection or library looks as good as it can without proper lighting. When you're setting up a library, think about how you want your books lit for ease of access and to make an impressive presentation.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Provide good overhead lighting. Whether it's florescent or incandescent, the important thing is that overhead fixtures be solidly installed and bright enough to accommodate reading.
2. Utilize LED or incandescent "alcove" lighting. Small lights with protected bulbs are perfect for lighting specific shelves that you want prominently displayed in your library. These small alcove lights are specifically designed for fire safety.
3. Keep first editions and valuables out of the light so that they won't fade or dry out over time. Make sure that the sunlight from any windows doesn't fall directly on your books.
4. Inspect your wiring periodically. For a library filled with paper and combustibles, it's important to ensure that your wiring is up to date and up to code. Design the library properly to minimize fire risks.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid lighting a library or book collection with rickety, unstable reading lamps. Many lamps do not provide the bulb protection you want, and one bump could send the implement flying. A hot bulb against book pages is not a good idea. Evaluate your room to make sure there are no wobbly lamps or damaged lighting in bad positions.