Best way to organize 6000 albums?

I have about 5000 and they are first separated by genre as Albertporter does, but the genres are limited to Jazz, Rock and Classical, plus a catch-all catagory for those that don't really fit into those catagories, such as Walter Carlos, Tomito, etc. (I find it difficult to distinguish alot of Pop from Rock and visa-versa.) Then everything is alphabetized within each genre. In cases where there are multiple artists (ex. "Peterson and Pass"), I simply use the first one listed (Peterson). In cases where no artist is listed (ex. 'The Three", which is a one-time collaboration of Brown, Sample and Mann), those LPs are found at the beginning, before the "A"s. These exceptions to the rule are few and are easily remembered or reviewed if what one is looking for can't be found in the main catagory.

Also like Albert, I find that cataloging the collection is a waste of time- quicker and much more enjoyable to flip through the records and either come up with what is being searched for or stumbling across something that is appealing at the moment. However, each individual will find a way that works best for them depending on how their brain works to organize things- what works well for one may not work at all for another. (i.e.- I would have a difficult time finding an album by label at Albert's house and he probably wouldn't have a clue where to find the Shure test record at my house!)

As far as shelving, I am fortunate to have a utility room in which "bookshelves" were fashioned from 1x12's. (If you send an email, I'll give you the design details.) The utility room keeps everything out of sight. No paint, no stain, just $60 and a couple hours of work. I simply pull out a few albums and sit down to listen.

Good luck with the project-

Regards
Jim

I have always found spines facing out like books a neck
breaking orientation. We prefer to organize LPs the way that
record stores used to, flipping from front to back viewing
the face of the album. We use stacked bins which slide on
rolling hardware anchored to casework screwed to our wall
studs. Less elegant, but very inviting to peruse.

Have to agree that first breaking up by genre is critical, and then for me, alpha by artist name within each genre.

I use LP dividers I got from a supplier of accessories,bags,CD etc to sub divide.Like the idea of closet.My freind just built shelves into a big high ceiling closet and it's great but you need room.Ikea sells an inexpensive wall unit which is square broken down into 16 squares (I think) that I'd like to get.The one I saw a year or two ago will fit 12" LP's.Right now I am using a number of metal and particle board shelving units I got at K-Mart (where America shops).Wonder how Bin Laden has been keeping his collection together while on the move cave to cave?My sugesstion for him if he's reading this is plastic milk crates strapped on Donkey's.

Between CD's and LP's, I'm in the 10,000 plus. I store the media on shelves in another room. It is first divided by type of music. It is alphabetical by artist within type for non classical and by composer and subdivided by performer in classical.

I have a database system that I designed in MS Access. I use it personally to put in pieces that I don't own yet but want to buy and to prevent duplication, primarily in the case of classical reissues where the DB has recorded date.

I also print out several reports, used mostly by friends or guests who can "browse" much easier.