Building a library.

[Anonymous]

Worms - I could not agree more! My book collection grows weekly. It spans over fifty years of collecting!

I nowadays frequently use Abe Books to find the things I require for research, but the serendipitous find in a second hand bookshop, Oxfam (and of course new bookshops also) takes some beating.

I am increasingly enjoying browsing through the second hand book shops set up in outbuildings of a number of National Trust properties. As these are run by volunteers, and profits go towards the work of the Trust, then I urge others to do likewise.

On Monday I visited Wimpole Hall (and farm and gardens) in Cambridgeshire. In the book sales area there I bought a copy (looks practically new) of Marie Hartley and Joan Ingilby's wonderful illustrated book 'Life and Tradition in the Yorkshire Dales for £4.50. A snip! And a pleasure to look forward to reading.

Wimpole has actually one of the best suites of library rooms in the country in a country house, with some of it designed by Soane, and a fascinating collection of books I'd like to get my mitts on!

I disagree profoundly with NT that all a library needs is a computer. I find a computer invaluable for research, could not live without, but as an adjunct to my book collection. I can't snuggle up in front of the fire with a glass of proper beer and the computer in the same way as I can a book!

 

[Anonymous]

David

This is exactly the sort of thing I need to know, thank you!

Any more pics?

Manks

 

[Anonymous]

If you can locate a supplier, these are a very, very good way (as used in 'proper' libraries) of actually locating your bookshelves on the frames.

They are immensely strong and enable you to adjust shelf heights easily to accommodate varying book heights. Easy to fix, they simply can be screwed onto the surface (or countersunk) onto the frames.

 

[Anonymous]

What the blinkin flip are they?

 

[Anonymous]

Simply. metal strips with horizontal slots in every couple of centimetres or so which you screw - two per upright - onto the inside of the edges of your bookcase. There is then a metal stud which fits (cantilevered) into the slots - four per shelf.

It sound more complex than it is, and it is very, very strong - can hold a huge weight.

 

[Anonymous]

Got you.

 

[Anonymous]

Tonks strips and studs



http://www.crowthermarine.co.uk/5.html

 

[Anonymous]

[No message]

 

[Anonymous]

bookfinder.com is also very good for tracking down second hand books. I have too many books now - my attic is full of them - and have been put on the wagon by my wife as far as book buying is concerned, athough occasionally I succeed in smuggling one or two in when the urge becomes irresistable. Perhaps when I have enough bookcase capacity to hold them all I will have a bit of a prune to create further room for expansion.

Didnt Kipling live at Wimpole? His daughter certainly owned it for a time.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, it was his daughter whi lived there, and who rescued it from danger of dereliction. She left it to the Trust.

It's a fascinating place, although sadly a couple of wings were demolished in the fifties, one of which contained the main domestic offices. There are still extensive servants' quarters left, which make me wonder how much interesting stuff now is no longer there.

It's a bit of a mish-mash internally, with several people having a hand in the remodelling, including Gibbs and Soane. It makes for some interesting rooms downstairs, and a magnificent library suite. Very dark however - which may have been good for the books but not the reader. There is a sort of ante-chamber to the main library re-modelled by Soane, with a typical Soane chimneypiece and overmantel. All very elegant. He also deigned an internal bath house, unusual indeed.

Howevever, Soane also designed some of the model farm buildings (not all still in existence) including a large thatched barn and some brick deer pens - unique I believe. Not very typically Soaneian!

It's well worth a visit, although a full day is required to see it all, and enjoy sitting on the verandah outside the Rectory Restaurant.

Books - I too have the smuggling in problem. I too have the shortage of bookshelves problem! They are in piles in odd corners all over the house. I know they say books furnish a room, but I'm unsure if that's what 'they' meant!