Plato once said that a house with a library has a soul, and any book lover can attest to that. For homeschoolers and self-directed learners, books are the foundation of their education. A study by the Australian National University and the University of Nevada found that the number of books in one’s household at age 16 directly correlates with their literacy, math, and IT skills later in life – even if the books remain untouched.

As someone who has been collecting books for a long time, I am grateful that my children share the same enthusiasm for them. With homeschooling, we have accumulated quite a collection and are constantly adding more shelf space.

But how can you organize an attractive library for your family?

Here are some tips that might help:

Organize the books by subjects, such as history, science, math, crafts, chess, music, and picture books.
Organize the books by language if you have a bilingual family.
Have a shelf for reference books, encyclopedias, and dictionaries.
Designate a shelf for schoolbooks.
Dedicate a shelf for magazines.
Set aside a shelf for cookbooks.
Have a separate shelf for picture books.
Reserve a shelf for cartoons.
Give each child a shelf to display their current reading selection.
Have a separate shelf for new books.
Keep a basket for library books ready.
Leave room for growth as you continue to add to your collection.
To make your library more appealing to your kids, consider the following:

Keep books for younger children at eye level.
Keep track of books borrowed and lent with a list.
Make tidying books a weekly chore.
Rotate new books on display weekly.
Invest in a shelf system that can be expanded over time.
Create a cozy reading nook.
By following these tips, you can create an organized and inviting library that will foster a love of reading for years to come.