Here are some other ways to organize a collection.

　　Alphabetizing by author works well for fiction but not necessarily for nonfiction books of various subjects.

　　Judging a book by its cover is usually frowned upon, but sorting by color can be aesthetically pleasing to some . Those generally forgetful about the colors of their books might disagree.

　　After a painful breakup, the main character in Nick Hornby’s book High Fidelity organizes his record collection autobiographically in the order he acquired them. A chronological organization might include shelves that track the progress of your life, from beloved childhood reading and college textbooks to parenting books.

　　To some readers, there are two ways to look at books: read and unread . Prioritizing (區間優化次序) when you might need the book will allow you to keep unread books at the forefront of your collection ,as well as books you reach for frequently, such as reference books or favorite novels.

　　Library Furniture

　　While it might be difficult for a book lover to spend money on something other than books, at some point, you will need some bookshelves. Built-in, bookshelves can provide floor-to-ceiling storage and space savings. They can be tucked under staircases or other out-of-the-way spaces; however, they’re not a good choice for renters, and they can respresent a big investment in terms of price and installation. Freestanding bookcases are widely available in a variety of sizes, colors and price points. You can also mount hanging bookshelves onto the wall or buy glass cases, which might be preferable if your collection includes antique books that you want to preserve.

　　Sagging poses the main threat to bookshelves. A bookshelf that is 36 inches long should have shelves at least one inch thick. If it’s longer, then it should be thicker so that it won’t droop under the weight. One tip for maximizing space on the shelves is to use adjustable bookshelves, so that very small books don't take up space that can be better used for taller coffee table books. You can also decorate bookshelves with personal items, such as photographs and souvenirs. Not only will this break up the rows of books visually, it will also give you room to expand as your collection grows.

　　As your bookshelves creep up the wall, you may need a library ladder to reach them. While any step stool or ladder will do, rolling library ladders add an elegant, whimsical (異想天開的) touch. The ladders attach to the shelf on a tracking rod, and the bottom of the ladder has wheels, so that you can move effortlessly from one end of the library to the other.

　　When considering other library furniture, think about how you’ll be using the room . If you’ll be writing and taking notes on your reading, you may want a desk or a lap desk. Desks and bookstands are also helpful for reading those big volumes that are too heavy to hold up comfortably. Overstuffed couches and chairs will beckon guests to spend a few hours reading, but if you fall asleep as soon as you hit the couch, you may need to consider other options, particularly if you’ll be doing scholarly or professional reading.