For that quiet reading corner
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Space is not really an issue, it is the desire to have a library at home that matters, says T. Lalith Singh
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Piles of newspapers, books strewn all around, unable to locate a reading material that you need at a short notice and no space to leisurely unwind the day with a title by your favourite author.
Space is not really an issue, it is the desire to have a library at home that matters. Whether it is a small corner in a room or an exclusive space that can develop as a full-fledged library, all that is needed is a craving and willingness to put in s
ome time and energy.
Once you decide on having a place to relax and lose yourself into the world of words, look around the home for an ideal space to locate it. Even if it’s an apartment flat and you cannot really indulge in the luxury of earmarking adequate space with row after row for storing books, do not lose heart. Just carve your hobby into a corner of a room or the living room.Usually the corners are occupied by television set or some decorative items. Try to relocate them at another appropriate place and call in a carpenter to work out shelves.
Depending upon the corner, you can work on different models or designs for the shelves. Curve them outwards to create more space or design it in such a way that it shapes above or around the television and DVD player.
One can also scout the market for ready-to-use shelf racks that comes with a facility of fitting in required fashion. However, aesthetics could take a beating with these but they do offer an option to remove easily and fix the same at some other place. Have a clear idea on the kind of the space that you want to create for racks. It doesn’t make sense to have wider ones when the actual need is not that big.
An advance assessment of the length and breadth of shelves is advisable before the carpenter actually starts the work. It is always advisable to have shutters to protect the books from weather and also to prevent them from falling prey to creatures that love to feast on paper. Prefer glass panes and sliding ones in particular, as they offer a space saving mechanism.
Those living in independent housing units with adequate space for a library can work it out much better. If planning to take up construction of an independent dwelling, do tell the architect to incorporate this provision. Either a spacious room or a hall can be left to accommodate the facility and then done up appropriately.Do take an inventory of the books and reading material that you possess or intend to acquire.
This helps in planning properly and do not forget to add more space than you actually think is required at this stage for a book love is always on collection spree.
Even arrangement of books is an art and with patience and effort, one can work out different way of adding a touch of aesthetics to the whole exercise. In between the rows, you can carve out spaces to display trophies or bric-a-brac or even framed photographs of the family. A flower vase in the middle can enhance the look of it.Lighting plays an important role. One can chose between subdued illumination or focus lights to take care of the shelves, but let there a provision for bright light in the corner where reading is to be taken up. Some care is also needed to maintain a library and it includes regular dusting, cleaning off bugs and ensuring the space remains dry during the monsoon.
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