Build Your Own Library

Cost

If you would like to build a library to support your local community, below are the bill of materials and plans to complete your library.  The full sized library stands 2 feet wide by 4 feet tall.  If you choose the most cost effective route (making three from one sheet of MDF), the base material cost for one library is approximately $105.  Any printing costs for a sign would be extra.

There will be other incidentals such as glue, screws, and thumb tacks which are each a minimal cost and can be used over multiple projects.  You may also have expenses for painting supplies such as rollers, brushes, and drop cloths, depending on your specific situation.

Wood

Libraries are made out of 3/4" MDF (medium density fiberboard).  If you purchase pre-cut "quarter sheet" (2ft x 4ft) MDF from a store like Home Depot, you can complete one library with two pieces.  One sheet will be the vertical "face" for the library, and the other will be cut into the base and supports.  Each piece costs $30 ($60 total).

If you would like to assemble multiple libraries at once, the most cost efficient option is to purchase a full sheet of (4ft x 8ft) of MDF.  One sheet of MDF can build three complete libraries.  The full sheet can be cut into four 2ft x 4ft pieces.  Three of those pieces will service as the vertical pieces, and the fourth will be used to provide all of the bases and supports for the three libraries.  

One full sheet of MDF costs $50, putting the wood cost per library at $12.50.  This is a significant savings over building one library with two quarter sheets, and results in far less material waste.

Shelves

The clear acrylic shelves used for the library can be found on Amazon.  We used one set of three 21" shelves. The set of three cost $56.  We also produced a narrow version of the library that was only 18" wide.  For that library we used this set of 16.5" shelves.  That set comes with four 16.5" wide shelves, and cost $60.

Paint

To ensure good paint coverage, you should both prime and paint the library.  A white primer should be used for white or light colored libraries.  A grey primer should be used for black or dark colored libraries.  You should be able to fully paint one library with a quart of primer and a quart of paint.  A semi-gloss is recommended for durability.  

We used "Rust-Oleum Painters Touch Ultra Cover" paint, and Rust-Oleum primer.  Each costs $18 per quart.  We used their standard black and white colors for base coats.  For the barber pole stripes we used the pre-mixed "Apple Red" and "Deep Blue".  They made perfect barber pole stripes.  The paints are a water-based acrylic.

We GREATLY encourage using a full size smooth roller cover for priming and base coats.  We initially tried with "mini rollers".  The full sized rollers produced better results (more even coverage and fewer drips) in FAR less time.  Full size roller covers are also easily cleanable, reducing waste and cost.  Smaller 4" rollers and roller covers work well for stripes.

Designs and stripes are easy to paint.  Below we should how we painted barber pole stripes for one library. 

Sign

A sign can be created in any image editing software like Photoshop Elements, Pixelmator, or any number of free programs.  The sign should be about 20" wide by 6" tall.  For good print quality, it should be created at 300dpi.  The sign can be printed and laminated at Office Depot or a FedEx with print department.  

To affix the signs, we used these large clear flat thumb tacks.  They "disappear" once installed.  We were able to push them into the MDF by hand, without the use of any tools or pre-drilling.  I box of 150 thumb tacks cost $5.

Dimensions & Assembly