h a l f b a k e r yWhat was the question again?
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I have a rather large collection of books, far more than even a full wall-length bookshelf can hold. If I ever had the chance to have a custom-built house, I'd certainly want to include a suitable library, rather than having the books scattered over several rooms. However, the conventional layout of
a library with multiple parallel shelving units is very inefficient for personal use: there would have to be reasonably large spaces between each pair of shelves, even though at most one of those spaces would be occupied at any given time.
One solution would be to put the shelves on rails or rollers, so you only open up a gap next to the shelf you want to access at the moment. I'm sure that's workable, but here's a similar idea that I find more aesthetically appropriate: basically, the library would be in the form of a book, with bookshelves for pages. Each shelving unit would be pivoted at one end, and have a roller at the other end to support the weight. At any given time, the library would allow access to two consecutive "pages" of books. The shelves at the ends (the "covers" of the book) would probably be stationary: they could be twice as deep as the moving shelves (since they're only accessed from one side) and used for oversized books.
The oddly-shaped sliver of floor space that never has a shelf swing through it should be just about the right size for a comfy chair and reading light.
Yes, there would be some wasted space in the corner, behind the pivots. This would ideally be accessible as a closet or in-wall shelving from an adjacent room.
Non-artist's conception
http://pobox.com/~J...per/LibraryBook.gif
[jasonharper, Oct 04 2004]
kinda like this?
http://www.american...deler.com/item3.htm
[thumbwax, Oct 04 2004]
(?) Industrial Space Saver Solution
http://www.allstora...ace%20Now/Spamo.htm
[jurist, Oct 04 2004]
[link]
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good idea. at first i thought you meant a regular lengthy bookshelf, except you can flip it over horizontally, revealing another upside down shelf whereas the books are fastened by strips(as they are on the other side too). maybe a spring lever in the sides slacken the strip when it rotates to a point. ahhhww i am baked. |
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You've admitted that placing the shelving units on tracks might be a possible solution. If you look at your own diagram again versus the link I provided, I think you'll find that you'll be able to store 50% more reading material in the same area using a movable lateral shelving system. Naturally, this includes consideration for the space that you intended for the leather LaZBoy recliner and requisite reading lamp, but doesn't appropriately credit your superior home aesthetics.
Depending on the basic cost that you pay per square foot in your neighborhood for housing, you may pragmatically decide to dispense with the aesthetics and employ the sort of stack system illustrated; or, conversely, you may decide to make a statement about the value books have in your life, and use a system like you have depicted. In my own home, I'm rather fond of those traversing ladders, but that, too, is a personal consideration. |
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Yes, I've seen the laterally sliding version in use. The fan-shaped version is intriguing but ultimately much less efficient. Not only does it use more space, but it requires the use of free-rolling casters rather than fixed tracks. |
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