Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Book Nerd
Ive worked in library’s most of my life. Books are everything. The community of folks who also work around books are my people. So Ive actually spent hours putting libraries and collections together. Shelving books. Cataloging books. Binding books. Checking books in and out. All of it. I die for a good used book sale. Hunt down used books from the Goodwill, yard sales, Ebay. I can’t resist. This is a passion. In my lifetime, Ive amassed quite an impressive collection.
How to Look Important 101
During Covid, it became acceptable for everyone to work from home. Interviews were no longer done live from a studio or set. They were now on zoom or done remotely. I noticed every expert and professional interview segment featured a prominent bookshelf in back. As if to announce, “this is an expert”. The bookshelf served as proof of credentials. See that bookshelf in back of me? That means I am an expert. Much like the degree hangings and award display. Or title card. The bookshelf shown behind the speaker connotes genuine authority.
Book Cred aka the Credibility Shelf
Hence the term “credibility shelf”. They now and forever have a name. Whatever the size of the bookshelf, the books and the look, matters. They can be hard cover or soft cover. Magazines. Scientific publications. A mix of action figures or snow globes. You want it personal. Your own book selections. What matters to you. Family photos. Pet pictures. Professional awards. A cactus collection. You name it. What is in your personal library? Is it Harlequin romance? DC comics?
Type of Bookshelf
Ive built a bookshelf out of milk crates. Planks and cinder blocks.
Book Ends
I use various things as book ends. From the sturdy metal school library kind. To multi purposing art pieces, large crystals, Tetris type layouts. They are pretty inexpensive and helpful when holding the books together.
My Personal Library
Believe it or not, I still have most of my books from college. No matter how many times Ive moved across the country and world. Ive moved and/or stored my books. My most prized possessions. I can’t let them go. I won’t. Its now a thing. So I amassed this impressive book collection but moved a lot. Which means I often left the bookshelves behind.
One Shelf at a Time
A few years back, a friend of mine was looking at my books on my homemade milk crate shelf and said “you really need a professional looking bookshelf”. She explained how it would free up space and upgrade the look. Just start with one shelf. Go from there. I heeded her advice. Purchased one sturdy shelf from Amazon. Industrial 5 shelf. (I will include a link below) Soon I had two bookshelves. Now I have three. It looks impressive. If I don’t say so myself. I also have a smaller bookshelf upstairs in my office. But the hallmark and highlight of my home is for sure the “credibility shelf”.
Lights
Being Neurodivergent, I am obsessed with lights. I can’t get enough. I love to string them everywhere. Bookshelves look amazing with the right lights. I love how it lights up the credibility shelf. Pun intended. I used strings of ferry lights at first. Loved it. Then I discovered stip LED lights. Wow. Changed the entire look. Note…from my experience, LED strip lights look better behind the shelf. Not attached to the front. For me, it was too chaotic on the front. Attaced to the back of the shelf gives off this almost omnipotent look. Just phenomenal. But its totally a personal preference.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Heres the bookshelf I purchased. In three separate purchases. Then put the three together as one. I love it. 
Himimi 6 Tier Industrial Bookshelf, Vintage Standing Storage Shelf, Display
MaxGear 8.5 in Extra Large Heavy Duty Metal Book Ends
—-If you are just starting out try making a bookshelf with milk crates and zip ties.
Milk Crate Bookshelf
Zip Ties (for milk crate bookshelf)
HS Small Colored Zip Ties 6 Inch 600pcs Multi-Color Zip Wire Tie
Most important….the LED strip lights. I recommend adhesive to the BACK of the shelf and one that works with Alexa or Google Home.
LED Lights
Disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Sköld Legacy Creative – Rise to the Ashes 