Ideas for a top for library shelves?

Re: Ideas for a top for library shelves?

Larry Clinton At Frankfort, (Central) Indiana

If by tops you mean a non-load bearing cover why would you need a 1-1/2" thick plywood top? What is the maximum unsupported length of the tops? This will determine the max rigidity required.

If they are not load bearing I would face whatever material selected with a 3/4" strip of hardwood of an appropriate width.

As to construction you said several of the other shelves have "tops". Are these matching shelves? If so I would try to duplicate the look.

Re: Ideas for a top for library shelves?

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

Replicate what is there- plastic over plywood or MDF. Use the tax number of the library to buy materials. Tell supplier what it is for and see if you can get a donation or price break.

Duplicate what is there...

John in NM

In the long run it will look better. Formica is arguably a better finish material in this case too - wood in public settings often ends up looking very dingy after a few years of use and abuse. Formica will pretty much look the same years from now. Goal here should be to not stand out from the other shelving they have.

shelf clarification

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

I imagined these shelves 6' tall and who cares what was on the top. Are they in fact 3-4' tall and the top used for whatever a 4' high "table" might be used for in a library?

Who's paying for it?

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

If the library's paying for it, I would present the choices, and any arguments you might offer for the higher priced choices.

$300 would buy a lot of books, or other library-specific things. The increased aesthetic value of the higher priced choices would be good, and, who knows?, might inspire some kids to appreciate quality work and maybe do some of it themselves, later in life.

But, even there, $300 would pay for materials for a "Let's Do Things with Our Hands!" program at the library, which would have a more immediate impact on the topic of kids learning to do stuff.

God, I hate this: I find myself arguing for plywood and formica...

If you're doing it as a donation to the library, then it's a matter of your budget allocation.

Before you go further

jessecloud

It might be a good idea to find out the story behind the shelves. Did they ever have tops? If so why were they removed.

I once saw them removed in a library and asked what the story was. The librarian said the temptation to put stuff on top was just too great. They had been told by the Fire Department that storage on the top came too close to the ceiling and was a fire hazard.

Possibly 5.5' high

JL

One set of shelves is along the outer wall (15' long).

The 30' long shelves are along the wall (w/ windows) separating the children's area from the rest of the library.

A donor...

JL

She is the main "driving" force behind the children's section of the library.

There is a plaque w/ her name on it.

She is willing to pay for "whatever" - so long as it is "within reason".

Re: Before you go further

JL

See above. At 5.5', I don't think storage of materials would be a problem - especially in the children's section.

Unless 3' tall kids try to climb?

Re: Possibly 5.5' high

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

At this height few visitors are going to see the top. That fact would lead me to make it out of what was cheapest and easiest. This isn't a project to flaunt one's woodworking skills. As far as all the other concerns being voiced, those are for the library to worry about.

Beware of flat surfaces high enough to hurt

Ken Vaughan

There is a risk to smaller children of thing falling. Flat surfaces collect objects that can fall and hurt small children in the childrens side.

5 1/2 feet is high enough to do damage with a larger book and a smaller child.