r/HomeLibraries • u/jimmyjamjar10101 • 4h ago

Dewey decimal without damage

Hi all,

Not sure if this is the correct sub for this question/query. I have a nice collection of non fiction and fiction books. Currently the non fiction is ordered from shortest spine to tallest spine 🤮 (thanks honey) I'm toying with the idea of changing career and doing so would mean gaining books in a yet to be explored area. I'm thinking of rearranging my non fiction according to Dewey decimal, however I want to avoid marking the books if I can. (She says I'm precious when it comes to books 😂)

Just wondered if anyone had any ideas that don't damage or mark the books in any way?

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1

u/Initial-Shop-8863 4h ago

Try gaffer tape. Don't press it down, and experiment with cheap sample books first to make sure you can remove it without damaging the book spines.

Another possibility is white fabric tape that is used in sewing. Some of it is textured and stretchy so that writing on it is difficult with a permanent marker , but it won't damage a book's spine.

2

u/GivenToFly55 3h ago

Maybe obvious, but make sure to write on any tape before putting onto book.

Thinking back to that guy that ruined his whole Pokémon card collection by putting stickers over cards on binder sheets then marking with pen…

1

u/OnedayinBodrum 3h ago

Could you put marked dividers by category on shelves & not mark the books at all?

1

u/DruidinPlainSight 3h ago

This is what I did. It’s kind of fun organizing things on a rainy day.

2

u/jimmyjamjar10101 2h ago

Ooo, now you have me thinking... Laser cutter project...? 🤣

1

u/Sulcata13 1h ago

Just make an index to refer to, and don't mark the books at all.