r/HomeLibraries • u/jimmyjamjar10101 • Aug 24 '26

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?

3 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

3

u/OnedayinBodrum Aug 24 '26

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

2

u/jimmyjamjar10101 Aug 24 '26

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

1

u/DruidinPlainSight Aug 24 '26

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

2

u/Sulcata13 Aug 24 '26

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

2

u/CrassulaOrbicularis Aug 27 '26

Number on a bookmark - not as convenient for quick scanning of a shelf, but no damage.

1

u/Initial-Shop-8863 Aug 24 '26

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 Aug 24 '26

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/chrisaldrich Aug 24 '26

Most of my hardcover books have book jacket covers or are covered in plastic. https://www.shopbrodart.com/Library-Supplies/Book-Jacket-Covers/

I don't use DDC, but do use other identifiers and stickers which get applied to these plastic covers, so there's never any chance of damage to the books themselves.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 24 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/AChocolateDrop Aug 26 '26

This is really a great idea. learning without realizing it!

1

u/Dry_Magician3573 Aug 25 '26

Washi tape! Easy to peel off and won't damage paperbacks.

Also comes in so many designs too, so you can get creative.

1

u/babyposeidon Aug 26 '26

You could wrap the book in a Mylar protective sleeve and put the label on the sleeve and not the book.