Bookshelf

A bookshelf is a category of buy mode objects in The Sims games.

The Sims
Bookshelves contain an infinite number of books. Bookshelves can be used by adult Sims to study cooking or mechanical. Bookshelves can also be used by child Sims to study for school; doing so eventually raises the child's school grade. Sims can also read books from the bookshelf for enjoyment.


 * Notes
 * Custom content is not listed. Some bookshelves were available for download at TheSims.com (as the website has been shut down, said bookshelves can be downloaded here), and shipped with The Sims: Complete Collection. Those bookshelves are not listed here.

The Sims 2
Bookshelves contain an indefinite number of skill and non-skill books. Bookshelves can be used by any Sim, child or older, to develop cooking, mechanical and cleaning skills. Sims can also read books from the bookshelf for enjoyment, or write in their diary. Teenaged or older Sims can read books to toddler or child Sims using the bookshelf.

With Open for Business expansion pack, books can be put on sale by marking any bookshelf with the sale tool. This allows players to start and run a simulated bookstore at home business or in an owned community lot.

Bookshelves can be found in the "Hobbies > Knowledge" section of buy mode, and can be placed on both residential and community lots.

The Sims 3
In The Sims 3, bookshelves hold books, but books must be purchased individually. The interface allows the player to move books into and out of the bookshelf. Unlike in The Sims and The Sims 2, where Sims can get the same books from different shelves, in The Sims 3, different bookshelves will have different books in them. (eg. Bookshelf 1 has a cookbook in it but not Bookshelf 2. The Sim cannot get a cookbook from Bookshelf 2, unless the cookbook is placed in Bookshelf 2.)

Library bookshelves
Bookshelves placed on residential lots automatically contain low level skill books, a toddler book, and several general books. Bookshelves placed on library community lots automatically contain a variety of books. Certain bookshelves when placed on a library will generate certain books.
 * The Book Corral, Penningway Bookshelf, Cobalt Codex Bookshelf, and Tower of Biblio Triple Bookshelf will generate skill books.
 * Classically Tasteful Literature Shelving, SolidShelf 9000, and Summer By The Sea Shelf will generate toddler books.
 * A-Frame Bookshelf by Clap 'n' Board will generate comic books.

Note while the one-story and three-story bookshelves from Into the Future will generate skill books in libraries, the two-story bookshelf won't.