Here are the responses I received from my request for the best book ends to keep
books from sliding.
********************************************
In my own experience, the Highsmith bookends with the plastic-like coating on the
base are best. (I think it's some kind of resin or polyurethane. They offer a
plain base, cork base, and a 3rd option- the 3rd one is what I like.
I like cork or heavy rubber.
I had the same problem at my school library. I solved it by buying rolls of
"rubber" shelf liner. You can pick them up for $1 at the dollar stores or more at
most drug stores. I made a template from cardboard, cut out the bottoms, and glued
them on with craft glue. Now my books don't slide anymore.
Over the years, I've found that it doesn't matter as much what is on the bottom of
the bookends as it does that they are tall enough to keep the books upright and not
leaning against them as much. I don't even buy the lower ones anymore. Also, I
try to add about 10 each year so that the ones I have aren't supporting huge
numbers of books that tend to slide when someone tries to look at a book in the
middle.
The ones with a cork or rubberized bottoms usually work well - I always buy the
large bookends. If you already have a lot of them without it, you can buy the bumpy
shelf/drawer lining that Kmart (etc.) sells, cut in smaller pieces than the bottom,
glue on with glue gun and let dry. If the shelf is more than half full, then a
second bookend about mid-way is helpful, especially with taller books (like picture
books or tall nonfiction). A friend of mine used a pair of stacked bricks wrapped
in heavy paper. Way too much work (in my opinion), but they did the job!
If you feel like experimenting, buy some sandpaper (finest grit you can get) and
glue some on the bottom of a bookend or two. Some people have had good success with
that, and it is certainly cheaper than getting all new bookends. Of course, if you
need new bookends anyway, this is a good excuse to buy some.
I like the Highsmith Company's Reinforced Steel Bookend with thermoplastic base,
item #30706. I have used them on both metal and wood shelves. While nothing is
absolutely non-skiddable, these come
closer than any other I've used in the past 32 years. They are taller than most,
and have a flange (or wing) off each side of the upright piece that makes them
stiffer and less likely to bend - plus that flange keeps them from disappearing
between two books, or worse yet, splitting a book. You can see them on Highsmith's
website http://www.highsmith.com just search for 30706.
I prefer cork - hold up well, doesn't stick to surfaces or get sticky.
We ordered heavy metal with rubber bottoms. They work GREAT!
Mrs. Debbie Acord
Library Media Specialist
Lancaster and Ossian Elementary
Bluffton and Ossian, Indiana
debbie.acord@nwcs.k12.in.us
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