Library of a Lifetime
I recently cleared out the library of an estate. This library was full with a lifetime of books. These books revealed so much about the owner’s interests and passions.The subjects varied from poetry, classic novels, political science, international relations, local history, race and social justice.The earliest book dating back to 1847. I love seeing what’s inside—the date, if it was signed or has a personal inscription and those tucked away notes or newspaper clippings… What an intimate process. In this situation, many books and papers were donated to organizations and colleagues that shared the same profession and work. We are selling the remainder of the books.
It makes one think, does my library represent me and my interests? What will my family learn about me through my books, when I go.
When a family member or loved one passes, spend time with their books, if you can. Be with what interested them. Learn more about them through the variety of subjects, sitting on their shelves. You can preserve their library by typing a list of their books for you and generations after you to remember what interested them (you could even note personal inscriptions).
While it’s not practical to keep every book, consider keeping a few and passing along others-Are there any books that intrigue you?, that make you want to learn why it was important to your loved one?Do you know someone else in the family that would? (gift it with an inscription like, “from the library of your Grandma Clara Olson(1924-2016)”. Gift them to friends that share similar interests. Donate them to an organization, museum, historian, researcher, writer or your local library.
In your own home—type up a booklist of what’s on your child’s book shelf at different stages of their life—what are their favorite childhood books? What books were on their bookshelf before they left home? Were any books gifted from family (how were they inscribed)?
When you’re purging your personal library, type up a booklist of the books you’re letting go of so you remember them and can refer to them while making room for new book interests.
