Organizing a book collection

A few weeks ago I was working with a client and we decided to organize her book collection. She has a 3-bedroom NYC apartment and 2 teenage sons, thus many books.

We started out by compiling all the books in the apartment and creating stacks in the dining room. There were easily over 200 books. We used the 1-touch method, which is just what it sounds like: touch 1 book at a time, and then decide to keep or donate. If we kept a book, we then decided where it fell under these categories:

• Fiction
• Non-fiction
• Son #1
• Son #2
• Historical
• Art & Photo
• Science & Nature
• Biography
• Cookbooks
• Self-help
• Etc….

We then decide where the books should live in her home and went to work putting them back on the shelves. She now knows where to look for her fiction books or her self-help/parenting books at ease.

If we donated a book, we separated the paperback from the hardcover books that were also in good condition. We put aside the books that were banged up, in bad condition, which ultimately were recycled. I found a local library that accepted the books as a donation. In the end we donated 106 books.

I’m quite certain this process was overwhelming. Here are 3 ways to make it easier:

1)   Turn off your mind

• Automatically gather all the books in your home. Don’t think about the title of the book, just collect and stack in one place of your home. Once you have all the books together, now the work begins. Make labels on post-it notes of basic sorting categories (use above as a guide) and disperse out onto the floor or table.

2)   Touch one book at a time

• Pick up 1 book at a time, and decide which category the book will live. This step should be quick and systematic. It’s ok to not know exactly what category a book will be under, however sometimes a book will have a label on the back cover. Just pick one type and if you need to change it later, that is ok.

3)   Bring in support

• Ask a friend, family member, or an organizer to help you tackle this endeavor. Having support makes the work more fun, less stressful, and quick. It is great to have a sounding board and an extra pair of hands. You can pick up a book and call out a category and they can distribute.

If you are having difficulties as to what to do with your old books here are a few ideas and where to donate:

• Local high school
• Local library
• A woman’s shelter
• Create a book club or a book swap with friends
• Used book store
• Senior housing facilities
• Religious groups
• Book sale
• Community Centers

If you look around your home, most of us have many books; some we have read, some we receive as gifts, and some are yet to be opened. Whatever your situation is, you don’t need to be weighed down with books you no long need. Create a plan and take one step at a time. You have the power and you now have a few guidelines to follow.

Good luck and keep me posted!