Bookshelf Markers
May 15, 2009 > 14 Comments
My children love to read. They also love to make a mess out of the bookshelves…or at least it seems as if they do. J
I decided to come up with a remedy. A bookshelf marker. When a book is taken out a marker is put in its place. Each marker is color coded to each child, so if they follow the plan they should be able to put the book back in its correct spot.
The markers can be whatever you have on hand or you can go out and purchase dowel rods and paint them your choice of color. You could also pick up a few free paint stirrers at any paint department. Perhaps you could let each child paint/decorate their own marker. Because I wanted a solution yesterday, I chose to make do until I went to the store, with color coded hangers.
Seems to be a great plan. Now to implement it.
As you can seen below, we needed a solution. It was driving me crazy trying to organize our books every week or 2. This is only about a 1/4 of the books we have in our home.
But that’s a good thing. One can never have too many books…or can they!?
Along these same lines, I left the library this week thinking of a solution to the mess in the children’s department. The children that came before us left such a mess that I found it unpleasant to search for books…ok, so I’m a little OCD. We quickly made our choices and spent the rest of our time trying to tidy up the area. But I realized that while my children have never created such a mess as this, they do pull books out, only to stick them back in the wrong place, which can make it complicated to find a particular book.
My solution? Each child will bring their marker for our next visit to the library. I’ll let you know if it works.
P.S. My 7 year old is embarrassed that I am publishing “stupid ole pictures of hangers sticking out of our bookshelves.” So, just for the record Noah is completley against his mom posting such foolish topics. But if helps make life simpler and cut out a extra task here and there, I’ll risk the stigma. 
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14 Responses to “Bookshelf Markers”
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May 15th, 2009 @ 8:01 pm
Well, you clever girl, you! Please tell Noah I really like your “stupid ol’ pictures of hangers.” In fact, tell him I find the whole idea *inspiring*!
May 15th, 2009 @ 8:46 pm
I’ll tell him you said so! LoL thanks!
May 16th, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
I just wish I had bookshelves to stick hangers in! A couple weeks back, I was going to move my very unstable book shelf. I knew it needed some nails on the back panel to stabilize it for the move. So, of course, I told the children “DO NOT TOUCH THIS BOOK SHELF. IT MAY FALL ON TOP OF YOU AND SMOOSH YOU. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?” They nodded and then, I walked away…mistake numero uno. I turned around just to see Jack go towards the shelf. It was all in slow mo, like the movies. Picture me running in slow mo screaming” NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO”in a very deep, creepy voice. Well, the whole thing collapsed and landed right on the puppy and ,well, I’d like to say I rushed to make sure everyone was fine, gave big kisses and was the picture of motherly affection. I can’t say that and be truthful. I launched into a full on fit that I’d rather not get too detailed on
I do remember something about God giving children ears to listen to their parents, though. Now, alas, all my books are laying in stacks and baskets all around. So, the next time Noah complains about the pics of hangers, just tell him there are children in third world parts of the county 
that would kill to have books shelves that their clever mother could stick hangers into. Have a great Sunday!
May 17th, 2009 @ 1:15 am
What a terrific idea!! I especially like the idea of using paint sticks that can be decorated! I will definitely have to implement your great idea!
May 20th, 2009 @ 4:32 am
LOL at your 7 year old! Too funny! Great idea though. My daughter is always making a mess out of her bookshelf, but it isn’t nearly as big.
Our library doesn’t want you to put the books back. They’d prefer you left them on a table, for them to put away. I guess they’ve had so many people put them in the wrong place, that it’s easier for them this way.
May 20th, 2009 @ 3:45 pm
Great idea! I’m adopting soon and I’m soaking up all the tips I can get!
May 20th, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
A great idea! Back in college, when I did filing for the admissions department, they would use brightly-colored file folders as markers. Your son might like the look of those better than the hangers.
Ooh, I bet you could have each kid draw their own marker and then laminate it, so you’d know exactly who had each book.
May 20th, 2009 @ 4:57 pm
Tell Noah that other mothers like seeing pictures of his family’s brilliant idea (and that we sometimes post pictures of equally silly things).
Thanks!
May 20th, 2009 @ 6:15 pm
I love this idea! My little ones can never remember where the books go. Thanks!
May 20th, 2009 @ 6:28 pm
I like your idea. I wish that we had book cases in which to put all our books instead they are mainly boxed up with makes it difficult to actually use them.
Elaine H
May 20th, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
What a great idea! My girls are only 3 and 5, so they have a hard time getting the book put back in it’s place. This looks like it would work well!
May 21st, 2009 @ 7:09 pm
Our library has a tin can full of bookshelf markers – basically they’re wooden paint stirrers that were painted in different colors and designs. The kids can use them while they’re at the library – I’ve seen a few doing it. I usually forget to have mine use them since they’re still in the picture book bins, not on the shelves so much.
We don’t keep books well organized at home (which means they’re basically everywhere all the time) so I haven’t bothered to make any for here.
May 22nd, 2009 @ 10:16 pm
We have major book issues at our house. I appreciate ideas. I’ll try it! Thanks!
Rosie
June 5th, 2009 @ 4:10 pm
[...] the kids keep the bookshelves in order by using small hangers as place holders. – Better Is [...]