How to Make Your Library a Subject of Bookshelf Envy

Do you dream of a home library? What’s your preference? Dark wood paneling and floor to ceiling bookcases? A more modern ladder bookshelf? Or a more decorative library? The lighting? So many pieces go into planning a library, especially when talking about a personal library. But what about the books? Here are ways to organize your books and make your library a subject of bookshelf envy. The Library Method Traditional libraries use the Dewey Decimal System. This system organizes books by ten large general classifications. Each of those have 100 smaller subclassifications. A number represents each of those classifications.  000-099 general works 100-199 philosophy and psychology 200-299 religion 300-399 social sciences 400-499 language 500–599, natural sciences and mathematics;  600–699, technology;  700–799, the arts;  800–899, literature and rhetoric 900–999, history, biography, and geography.  This system works well in large nonfiction libraries and can work well in smaller, personal libraries, too. Learn more about the Dewey Decimal System. But you must know the number system well and or have a card catalog or app in order to find the proper book. Alphabetical The easiest way to organize your library is alphabetically by Author or Title.  But what if you don’t remember either? Once […]

Women Empowering Women

Women empowering women is a strong and beautiful act. How does this happen? Women lift others with their voices through song, art, dance, speech, poems, stories, and mentorship and so many other ways including small acts of kindness. Art Feminist art emerged in the 1960s. From sculpture to paintings to drawings and performances, these artists highlight societal and political differences associated with gender identity.  Here’s a list of 15 artists to get you started. POETRY Poetry, or words that make music in your heart, has many forms. And there are thousands of strong women poets. Below are two examples. “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou “You are more than beautiful” by Rupi Kaur SPEECH 2014 Emma Watson gave this fabulous speech at the UN launcing the HeForShe campaign. There are many, many TED talks about women’s rights and empowerment. Here’s a list of 3,000 titles. BOOKS There are many nonfiction books and many fiction books that tell the story of women empowering other women or themselves.  Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, Margarot Atwood’s Handmaid’s Tale, and Rebecca Solnit’s Men Explain Things To Me,  are a very small sample. MUSIC Songs of celebration to songs of protest, music has always been […]

Quotes in the Spirit of Christmas
