#transient library

[transientlibrary]

Spring cleaning your bookcase!

Okay okay! I know, spring is in like, a month---but still! When you go through your bookshelf consider donating those old used lovelies to the Transient Library. Have a paperback gathering dust? Maybe you have a book that meant a lot to you in an early time of your life that no longer resonates. Remember, books carry power, and the right book, at the right time, can change a person's life. Here is our guide on how to join the library and pass your sweeties along!

I have three rules for my bookcase: 1. Keep all hardbounds.

2. Get rid of all paperbacks, unless they are rare.

3. You can keep a paperback only if you plan on replacing it with a hardbound within a season.

Alas, I am eccentric. By no means will I judge if you have a different system. HOWEVER! If you decide to get rid of a book, please please please consider giving it to our library.

Now the fun begins! How do you organize your bookcase after you have paired it down? Personally, I like to organize it by color instead of the Dewey Decimal Classification System (I feel like this always has to be written like that because it scares me). @californiastatelibrary can you settle this debate? What is the best way to organize books?

[transientlibrary]

How to add a book to the Transient Library!

Looks like Michael beat me to the punch with a post and a book Ugh! Still need to get to my P.O. Box for our "first" book. That's what you get when you have ADHD I guess. My friends and I chipped in to have special inlets and stickers made for this ambitious project. That does not mean that you cannot get in on the action yourselves! Here is a DIY you can try at home to send your dusty treasures out into the world:

Step 1: Gather your supplies.

All you really need is an envelope, a flash card, a pen, some glue, and some scissors. Before we begin make sure to seal your envelope!

Step 2: Cut the envelope.

This will act as the "inlet" inside of the book.

Step 3: Prepare your flash card.

Okay, so maybe I forgot a tool: a ruler. I just used the edge of the book. So now you want to turn the flash card into a "lending card". Make sure to have the "author", "title" and "location". Maybe give us a shout-out and write down our URL?

Step 4: Glue the back of the inlet.

Step 5: Place the inlet, with the card, firmly inside the book cover.

Once done, pick a "third place" you think would help give the book some love on its journey and cross your fingers! Hopefully, some stranger will pick up your well-loved treasure, read it, and pass it along to some other stranger who needs to read it. With luck, this book (one of my all time favorites!) will have many, many signatures and temporary homes to live in.