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I have a very special treat for you today! My sweet friend, Brittany is here to help us with decluttering and organizing books with the Konmari Method. She’s a librarian so she knows what she’s talking about! So, without further ado, here’s Brittany!
One of the summer organization and decluttering projects I wanted to tackle this year was my book collection. I have always been an avid reader and lover of books. As a child, I actually had a window seat in my bedroom with a closets on each side. One closet held my wardrobe, while the other had shelves which housed my book collection. I have fond memories of packing up a backpack full of paperbacks, walking to my childhood best friend’s house, and playing “library” with her. So I guess it comes as no surprise that I grew up to become a librarian!
Over the years, my book collection continued to grow, and I was always adding new books to my home library. It’s hard to resist a good bargain on a used book! Plus, I received a ton of free review copies as a librarian and book award committee member, and people often gave me gift cards to my favorite bookstores for the holidays. It wasn’t long before my collection grew to an overwhelming size.
I knew it was time to consider downsizing my book collection when it stopped bringing me joy and started becoming a source of stress. I was acquiring new books at a rate faster than I could realistically read them. I wasn’t happy with how cluttered my shelves looked and I was constantly rearranging them to try to make everything fit.
As a librarian, I am constantly reevaluating our library collection and discarding books that are damaged, outdated, or no longer getting checked out (we call this process “weeding” the collection). So I thought it would be a good idea to start “weeding” my home library as well.
If you’re ready to declutter your book collection, it may be helpful to break the task into several subcategories so that it’s not so overwhelming.
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textbooks
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reference books
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manuals
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cookbooks
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coffee table books
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travel guides
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fiction books
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nonfiction books
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children’s books
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magazines
Ask yourself the following questions to help with the decluttering process.
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Do I love this book?
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Will I read it again? (Be honest!)
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Is it in good condition?
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Will I refer to it often, or could I find the same information elsewhere?
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Could I borrow it from the library?
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Do I have multiple copies?
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It is available as an eBook or audiobook?
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It the information outdated?
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Am I still interested in the topic?
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Would it be more useful to someone else?
Or, if you are following the KonMari Method, you only need to ask yourself one question: Does this book spark joy? If so, keep it! If not, discard it.
10 Things to Do with the Books You’ve Discarded
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Donate them to your local library (They may be able to add them to the collection, sell them in their book sale to raise money for library programming, or keep them as prizes for the Summer Reading program!).
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Donate them to a women’s shelter.
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Donate them to a prison library.
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Donate them to a teacher for their classroom library.
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Donate them to Better World Books.
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Donate them to a thrift shop.
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Sell them online.
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Sell them to a used bookstore.
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Sell them in a yard sale.
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Recycle them.
Once you’ve downsized your book collection, I encourage you to make good use of your library card! Not only will it cut down on the clutter, but it will also save you money. Most libraries now offer downloadable eBooks and audiobooks as well, so you can carry a ton of books on your smartphone, eReader, or tablet (which is a convenient and clutter free to read!).
Happy reading and decluttering!
Hi, it’s Emily again. Aren’t those great tips! I am a total book hoarder so I’ll definitely be using these tips and asking myself these questions when I start tackling my mountain of books.
This looks great! I will have to try with my incredibly messy bookshelf at home!!
I never heard of the KonMari Method. I was a librarian in college and am totally a book nerd. I love that you weed through your home library by asking if the book sparks joy. Just love that so much.
These tips are great. I honestly have never gone through our collection of children’s books. I always feel that you can never have too many books. But I get her point – why hang on to books that don’t excite you? If I wouldn’t read it again, then why let it collect dust – this will be a good decluttering project! THANK YOU for the inspiration.
What great tips, Brittany! I will definitely put your suggestions to good use. My husband has an office full of books he has no use for anymore, but I’m sure there are many others who could benefit from them. Connecting from Women With Intention. Blessings to you!
Emily and Brittany, thank you so much for this! I’m not quite ready to tackle my books, but soon. As a librarian, Brittany, you will get a kick out of this: When I was in my 20s I actually (and I’m a little ashamed to admit it now!) Dewey Decimal-ized my books!
I’ve started the KonMari method this summer when I chanced upon her book through audible.com. At first I thought it awful and disrespectful of our “inherited” burden! However, I found it a great relief because none of those things I donated away were giving me joy. Now I don’t worry about what my children will have to deal with when I’m gone. Those things will have no memories for them! Thanks for bringing mention of her system here.
I KMed all my stuff earlier this year and blogged about it. I love my life now!
XO Ellen from Ask Away
http://www.askawayblog.com
I’m so jealous! I wish I was done 🙂
I have no problem donating books, I have read. Our library has a book sale every month; and as you state there are plenty of sources to donate books to. I do have a problem remembering what books I have at home so I don’t buy the same books; I really like. Now, I am trying evernote to catoagorize alphabetically by author, what books I have. I tried a carry on telephone alphabet book, by author listings and lost that. Can we ever be organized enough???
I’m wondering if the author has actually read ‘the magic of tidying up’, because this was hardly about the Kon-Mari method. This was especially telling from the picture used- Marie kondo tells you to NEVER stack things horizontal, always vertical.
I’m guessing she did. She may have just taken a more “pick and choose what works for you” approach.
Thanks for the great tips!
I have read Maria Kondos book and finished the clothing discard but the book part has been torture! I adore my books and the thought of parting with them has really been stressful. My librarian and I are quite close after over a decade of weekly visits so the visit your library suggestion is a super smart idea. It saves me hundreds of $$ annually and she is able to make suggestions about books and movies I will like. Another great thing to do with the books you discard is to pass some along to friends with common interests. It makes you feel so much better knowing the book is going to “live on” after it leaves your shelf.
That’s a great tip! It is nice to know things we love are being appreciated by others. Thanks, Theresa!
I love the suggestions about going through your books, but please please please do NOT store your books like in the picture! Books are designed to be stored upright. Any other way damages them.