| Home libraries are important resources for both you | | | | you knew only what was in the dictionary, you would |
| and your children. The reference material can provide | | | | be quite a knowledgeable person! |
| quick and easy look-up for questions that come up at | | | | In addition to a dictionary, other references for |
| the dinner table. Handy references also help during | | | | writing that are very handy include a thesaurus and a |
| homework periods both because your children learn | | | | style manual. |
| how to use the material and discover the answers | | | | How do I fix that? Having a home repair guide or a |
| they need for their homework project. | | | | guide to doing anything can help you deal with the |
| Many people think having a computer with Internet | | | | inevitable need to repair, maintain, or otherwise fix |
| access is the only thing needed to support home | | | | problems. There are a number of books like this. |
| resource needs, but actually there are reasons why | | | | Look through several and choose the one with |
| other resource material can provide an enhanced | | | | instructions you understand. |
| understanding of the subject matter of interest. | | | | Subject matter expert. Include books which provide |
| One reason why physical reference material is helpful | | | | information on your favorite areas of interest. We |
| is that it works whether the electrical power is on or | | | | have over 300 books on gardening in our home |
| off and can be used even if your computer has | | | | library because we enjoy gardening. We use many of |
| crashed yet again. Another reason readily available | | | | these books often as we look up new plant |
| books and other resource materials can be useful is | | | | possibilities, identify a pest, research the growth |
| the physical representation. For example, a globe | | | | habits of a tree, and so on. Whatever your interests |
| gives a much better representation of the earth and | | | | are, you will want to have ready references. |
| the location of the continents and oceans than a flat | | | | |
| screen. And finally, no matter how good search | | | | Sit down by the fire with a good book. Include classic |
| engines are, sometimes you just do not know the | | | | stories or favorite books which you will read over |
| right words to use in the question to get good | | | | and over in your home library. Reading books for |
| results. In those cases, it can be easier to locate the | | | | enjoyment is the most successful way of maintaining |
| information you are looking for by thumbing through | | | | and improving reading skills. |
| a book. | | | | Book Buyer. Have authors and illustrators autograph |
| Create a home library which provides an excellent | | | | their books whenever possible. Many bookstores hold |
| resource for you and your family by including the | | | | book signing events and schools sometimes sponsor |
| following items. | | | | author visits which include a book signing. You may |
| A world view. Provide several resources which help | | | | wish to maintain a separate collection of signed |
| one visualize the world. Include a globe, large world | | | | books as these books can appreciate in value. Your |
| map, and an atlas. The globe allows one to see the | | | | book buying appetite may be larger than your |
| relationship of one country to another and gives a | | | | budget. In addition to buying at full price from |
| more accurate picture of the shape of the world in | | | | bookstores and other venders, consider the following |
| which we live. A world map will have more detail than | | | | optional ways of procuring your tomes. Buy at library |
| a globe is able to provide. The atlas will have the | | | | sales, second-hand bookstores, and yard sales. |
| most detail and may include information on countries | | | | Purchase discounted books at book stores and from |
| like their population size and make-up and exports. | | | | internet venders. Some recycling collection centers |
| Also a good atlas will include information about | | | | include book trading stations. Trade books with |
| topography, vegetation coverage, ocean floors and | | | | friends and family. |
| major currents. | | | | Library Maintenance. Keep only those books which |
| Words, words, and more words. An unabridged | | | | you find yourself turning to again and again. Culling |
| dictionary is a critical resource. Aside from looking up | | | | your books every year or so will maintain the |
| the definitions of new words, dictionaries often | | | | freshness of your library and ensure the library fits |
| include special sections with labeled pictures of topics | | | | within the space you have allotted. Dust your books |
| like anatomy, atmospheric and soil layers, boats and | | | | and shelves weekly. Store books flat on the shelf or |
| ships, insects, mammals, state flowers, solar system, | | | | completely upright. Storing at angles degrades the |
| birds, fish, and plants. Large dictionaries also typically | | | | book’s spine. Vacuum the room thoroughly at |
| include alphabetically listed famous persons with short | | | | least once a week. The glue in book bindings is food |
| biographical summaries, geographical listings with areas | | | | for certain types of insects. Vacuuming the carpet |
| and population figures, listings of fictional names from | | | | and curtains will control these pests. |
| stories, mythology, and legends, foreign phrases, | | | | Books can relax you, invigorate your mind, transport |
| scriptural names, abbreviations, practical mathematics, | | | | you, and inform you. Creating a home library for you |
| tables of weights and measures, special signs and | | | | and your family provides a resource which you can |
| symbols, listings of prominent members of | | | | use to bring greater understanding and enjoyment of |
| government; the Declaration of Independence, the | | | | the world around you. |
| Constitution of the United States and much more. If | | | | |