Audio CDs, DVDs, computer software, cassette tapes, VHS tapes... keeping it all put away can be very overwhelming! All of these small items can work together to take up a large amount of space!
For CDs, DVDs, and computer CDs, I have implemented a system that I read about athttp://www.katherinebell.com. This system has not only made it very easy to keep all of these things organized, but also greatly reduced the amount of space that these items require. I first purchased several large CD binders that zip closed. I took every CD out of it's plastic jewel case and put it into a sleeve in the binder. Then, I wrote “AUDIO CDs” in permanent marker on the outside of the binder, and (gulp) threw away all the jewel cases. I did the same thing for all of our DVDs and computer CDs. I did save 4 or 5 DVD cases, so that I have a safe way to transport disks or lend them out, but I took out the original movie label and wrote our last name in permanent marker across the top. I have never regretted it.
The benefits to this:
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We never have to match up a disk with it's case (Ease of putting away)
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CDs and DVDs are always contained in one spot (Ease of Access)
- It takes up much less space (Attractiveness)
To increase the “Ease of Putting Away,” I also keep a small CD storage binder next to each CD player in the house, so there is always a safe, handy place to put CDs. This makes the system so easily maintainable, and there is no excuse for leaving a CD laying out on a table where it could get scratched. Occasionally, we go through the small binders for a “Round Up” and put them all in their proper home.
For VHS tapes, I like drawers better than shelves. We use an inexpensive plastic set of drawers, and lay the tapes on their side so that we can see the titles all lined up across the top. Cassette tapes are all kept together in a photo storage box. Nothing new or revolutionary here, but it's the easiest thing I've found so far.
Books... homeschoolers love them! No matter how many bookshelves we acquire, there never seem to be enough to house all of the books! Without some system in place, finding the book we are looking for can feel like a losing game of hide and seek. At the same time, we have to keep the books somewhat easy to put away as well so that all family members will be able to maintain them. We also have to consider that toddlers love to pull books off shelves and find the urge irresistible. A complicated system could require hours to recover from such an attack! Here is what I have done to solve the books dilemma:
I purchased a set of dot-shaped labels in assorted colors. The colors stand for categories of books. For example, yellow is for fiction, green for History, pink for Science, blue for arts and poetry, red for reference, and orange for Bible and Christian studies. On each dot, I wrote a letter that gives a bit more detail on the category. For example, on the yellow “fiction” dots, I write “C” for children's fiction, “A” for adult's fiction, and “HF” for historical fiction. The green history dots are marked “H” for history, “B” for biography, and so on. I stick the dots on the outer edge of the books, right about the spot where a library would put a label. I do not attempt to sort in alphabetical order, but I do keep the books with their own category so that we can at least get to the right shelf when we are searching for a particular book.
In this way, when a “Hurricane Toddler” tears through the bookshelves, everything can be put back in order quickly. Even a four year old can help with the task. All that's necessary is to put the books together with the same colored dot and letter.
