| Dowels can be very handy for supporting shelves | | | | 20mm. wide standards and two brackets for each |
| from the sides. If shelf ends are notched, you can | | | | side of each shelf is needed. For back supports, |
| build a room-dividing-bookcase by cutting a | | | | one pair of wall standards will do, unless the |
| standard 4 by 4 to reach from floor to ceiling | | | | shelves are extra long. Shelves are supported by |
| (where it is attached with an L-shaped bracket) | | | | rungs. Notch ends of shelving boards to fit snugly |
| and running dowels through at varying heights to | | | | between supports. Height of shelves is easily |
| hold the shelf ends. Or, a back cleat can be | | | | changed. Bookcase can be dismantled. |
| combined with pins or dowels on the sides of a | | | | You can choose almost any wood for |
| bookcase to form a sturdy support. | | | | bookshelves, provided it can stand the dead |
| There are many different types of metal fixtures | | | | weight of the volumes it will hold. Commonly used |
| available for bookshelves. Brackets, braces, and | | | | types are 25mm. by 300mm. fir and particle |
| angle irons can be purchased in a wide variety of | | | | board and 20mm. plywood. Many lumberyards |
| sizes, shapes and styles (including ornamental | | | | carry 1-inch thick bookshelf stock that has a |
| designs) for attaching open shelves to either back | | | | rounded front edge. |
| or end supports. Metal brackets add strength | | | | Bookshelf space should be a minimum of 23cm. |
| where a heavy load is to be placed on shelving. | | | | high and 21cm. deep for books of average size. |
| For adjustable shelving - a great way of | | | | Larger volumes may require a shelf 30cm. deep |
| eliminating waste space - wall standards with | | | | and 30cm. high. Width usually depends on the |
| notches 13mm.apart can be purchased along with | | | | number of books you have to shelve. The highest |
| special brackets to fit them. They are available | | | | shelf should be no more than 2 meters off the |
| either for shelves supported from the sides or | | | | floor. |
| from the back. For end support, pair of the | | | | |