Floorstanding or bookshlf speakers?

I like the idea a hi-fi system with floorstanding speakers IN A LIBRARY!

Seriously though, I think the room is big enough for floorstanders. You may want to consider a large area rug on the floor to help with sound and comfort. Definitely have the speakers facing the long dimension of the room. This will give you a lot more options for speaker placement. With such a long room, you may be able to achive good sound with the speakers 3 to 4 feet (or more???) from the back wall. That way you will be able to walk behind and to the sides of them to get at the books if this is necessary. Some floorstanders have a small footprint and others do not. If you think space will be a problem, go with the floorstanders that have a smaller length and width.

Thank you all for the advice. I am newbie at hi-fi. I was at a dealer who claimed that my room was not big enough for floor standing speakers. Good thing I decided to confirm it. The dealer claimed, "It would be far easier to control the sound". As this system will double as a HT, the screen will be recessed at the front of the length of the room. The front has a bay window surrounded with cabinetry/shelves.

Depends on taste also.You did not give a price range or if you have amplification.

I have a room about the same dimensions and I have both.To be truthful I love the Bookshelves,but the floorstanders give me more detail they are also 4X's more expensive.

SOmeone mentioned the PSB Goldi and I have NEARs which are in the same league.My NEARs are modified versions of the time they were compared in a side-by-side at Soundstage.

I think you might get a bigger soundstage using Bookshelves in the room your size.

Go and listen to some to see what your taste are.

I second Abex's thoughts.
It all depend on what you like to listen to.
Me, at the narrow end of the room, (dimension is same as yours except the H at 12 feet), stand diminutive Proac 1SC on rigid stand, 3 feet away from the rear wall. I love the visual unobtrusiveness of it all, and best of all, paired with single ended triode, it emulate, just the way I like, the purity and lushness of the orchestra and voices and the space where it is recorded. Personnelly, when I went full range, I used panel speaker, (as I will again soon when moving) otherwise I prefer monitor on stand.

Check out the Gershman Acoustic RX 20 Avant Gardes - floor standing with a small footprint and can bring a full range sound in your size room that you will love. The piano black finish is extremely attractive. I have a pair in my ofiice that is about the size of your room.