L is for . . .

 Library! 

You had to guess it would be, right?

I love to go through model homes and am always excited when "library" shows up on the floor plan. Too bad what designers think a library is and what I think a library is is so very different.

This is what usually shows up on a home tour. I beautiful room with bookshelves. The comfortable chair is a nice touch and adding the desk gives the room a multipurpose. And just plain looks nice.


The problem is . . . .





sigh.

This is some of my print books. There are close to 3,000 books in these boxes and there are still some at home. Maybe even this many again!

See? A tame "home library" just isn't going to cut it for me. I need something along the lines of . . .

This is similar to what a local college has in the reference area of the library. You can't see the books all at once but you can get a greater number in a smaller footprint. The only walkway is between the shelves you're currently looking at. The whole bookcase moves to make a new aisle.

Not practical? How about something like this?

I go into a large model home with soaring ceilings and wonder if I could put a catwalk up there so I'd have more room for shelves.


My husband doesn't read like I do (he does have a job and other interests) so while he enjoys reading and puts up with my stash, I don't think he'd enjoy having this as a front room. ;-)


ummm. what about a building in the backyard?

What do you mean this is a library? It doesn't look like much from the outside but this would be fantastic! 

Peter Gluck designed this New York library for his wife Carol, a scholar. The lower, windowless part has room to store 10,000 books while the upper level is a work space with windows that complete slide out of the way.  


Yeah, I think a room designed to hold 10,000 books would do it for me. For now ;-)



One of these days, I'll have a library of my own to show you. I currently have two "empty" bedrooms that could be re-purposed. 

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