We like to borrow organization ideas from unexpected sources. Take the public library, for example, with its stamps, cards, Dewey Decimal System, and aisles of shelving. One of the most genius storage inventions of this longstanding institution is the industrial metal library cart (also known as a “book truck” in the biz) that allows for easy restocking.
You can use the same mobile bookshelf for any room in the house: storing cookbooks in the kitchen, linens in the bath, cleaning products from room to room, And, of course, you can use it for its original function—organizing plain old paperbacks. Here are our 10 favorite library carts to chose from.
Above: The Schoolhouse Library Cart is a reproduction of the vintage carts from school libraries designed with a navy blue finish and retro-looking red and white wheels; $749 at Schoolhouse. Above: The Toltec Extra-Tall Industrial-Strength Book Truck is meant for heavy-duty books. It comes with the classic sloping shelves but can be used for all sorts of items, including storing small things in the bathroom and kitchen; $702 at Brodart. Above: The brightly colored Smith System Buffalo Book Truck has three tiers of shelves broken into two sides with sloping dividers. It’s available in 11 different colors, including Clementine, shown; $403.95 at the Library Store. Above: Scandinavian brand House Doctor makes the Roll Trolley in gray. It’s a more squared-off version of the library cart, lifted high off the ground and with high sides for keeping small objects corralled. Contact House Doctor for stockist and pricing information. Above: The Acme Furniture Bookshelf Cart is a tall and boxy version in black; $141 at Muuduu Furniture. Above: Shown in bright green, the Mobile Book Cart is made of cold rolled steel with a colored powder-coated finish. It can be ordered directly from Sebon Handtruck; contact for pricing and more information. Above: The Demco LibraryQuiet 2 Flat Shelf Booktruck is engineered to be rattle-free (important for quiet libraries!) with 18-gauge steel shelves in a powder-coated finish. The cart comes in 14 colors (shown in Spruce); $283.99 at Demco. Above: Room & Board’s Slim Bar Cart was designed as a bar cart, but with its sturdy steel frame and casters, it can be used for just about anything. It comes in 15 colors (shown in Olive); $449 at Room & Board. Above: The Hans & Alice Rolling Book Cart has a 200-pound capacity and three single-sided flat shelves in 18-gauge steel. It comes in gray (shown) and black; $179.99 on Amazon. Above: Another design from trusted industrial book truck manufacturers Demco, the LibraryQuiet 3 Flat Shelf Booktruck is simply designed and comes in a range of colors (shown in Aubergine); $291.99 to $299.99 at Demco. Above: Even Target makes a library cart: The Sauder Boulevard Café Library Cart in a mint green finish is $149.99 at Target. Above: The Sandusky Lee Tray-Shelf Utility Truck is made of 18-gauge welded steel and supported on six casters. It comes in 14 colors; $317 at Brodart. For more ways to get organized with the click of a (purchase) button, see our posts:
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