A book shelf, or library shelf, is usually a simple piece of furniture having fixed shelves, usually in a narrow cabinet, housing many individual books or other printed media. The most common sizes of book shelves are seven, eight, or nine shelves high. They are sometimes fitted with additional shelving units for the storage of second-hand and rare first-edition books. Some bookcases have an additional upper shelf or racking that is used for displaying rare, valuable or hard-to-find books. Many bookcases are used not only for books but for newspapers and magazines as well. The two most common types of book shelves are the freestanding and the standing varieties. A freestanding book shelf, or library shelf, is typically built into a concrete structure; these are seen more often in school libraries. Freestanding book shelves can also be built into walls if desired. Standing book shelves are generally attached to a building's roof. These book shelves are more easily accessed than freestanding ones and do not have to be bolted to the floor or ceiling.
A good-quality book shelf should be durable, sturdy, visually appealing, and convenient to use. The size of a book shelf is an important factor when choosing one. Since most book shelves take up less than one square foot of space, it is important to consider the area available before purchasing. Since the shelf will most likely be seen by people passing by, the design and color are important as well. There are many different styles and finishes to choose from including: The type of wood used to make book shelves will vary, although maple, oak, birch and cherry are common woods. Some shelves can also be purchased in combination with other accessories such as: coat-rack hooks, candleholders and wall decorations. Wall shelving can be mounted directly to a wall without any additional support. It is also possible to buy kits that assemble book shelves into a complete unit that contains all the parts and accessories.
There are several types of book shelves based on the way they are to be used. Freestanding book shelves are designed so that people can easily access the contents while standing on their own. This is usually the best choice for those who have to regularly add or remove books from their shelves. These types of book shelves usually have the pages stacked vertically and are held in place with brackets or screws. They can either be placed on top of another shelf or stand on their own. Built-in units are fitted with drawers underneath and are secured by adjustable rods. The most popular style of built-in unit is a bookshelf. These book shelves are fitted with hangers that hang down from both sides of the bookcase. There is a lip on the inside of the shelf to prevent books from falling out. They are also available in different heights and styles, including those with decorative brackets along the top of the unit. Some people prefer a floating book shelf because it allows them to move the books closer to their sitting area without worrying about them tipping over.
Bookcase shelves are the traditional way to display books in a home. These are also the most expensive type of book shelf. There are many styles available in bookcases, from modern designs with clean straight lines to Victorian-style bookcases that feature curves and pewter drawer pulls. Many families use several book shelves in different rooms, helping to create a unified look. A children's bookcase is also a great way to store toys and other small items that often get lost in the bottom of a child's toy box. One of the great things about bookcases and bookshelves is that they can be updated by simply adding new books or removing outdated ones. This helps a home collection of books stay up-to-date and avoids the storage problems that come with constantly replacing older books. In addition, some types of books may no longer be copyright protected, making them available for purchase.
