GM's Portable Bookshelf: Design/Engineering

[Axegrrl]

We *have* a laptop. The problem with the PDF idea is that the screen is not exactly expandable. Also, some of the books are not available in PDF (from any source), as we don't stick to "mainstream" sources all the time.

I usually manage to thin the pile of books to bring by at least a third before we go. (We have about three full bookshelves worth of 3.5 stuff that stays at home, so it's not like we're bringing everything we have.)

Last time, we used the following:
DMG
PHB
Spycraft
Shadowforce Archer
Expanded Psionics Handbook
Iron Kingdoms Character Guide
Eberron Campaign Setting
MMI
MMIII
C. Adventurer
C. Arcane
Sorcery & Steam
...plus a fair-sized pile of hardcopy DM notes (some of it background material written *ages* ago and not yet on cptr).

Books we brought but didn't use last time:
C. Divine
C. Warrior
MMII

We also brought a couple of books for other players to look at, since we're the only ones who own them:
Iron Kingdoms World Guide
Sharn
These two, at least, will be staying home from here on out... IKWG because it's *huge* and we aren't using that much from it yet, Sharn because it's basically useless.

 

[Crothian]

Play at your place. or take notes, copy pages, whatever of the books you need so you don't need to use them so m uch at the table. I really have a hard time understanding how someone needs to use all those books in a single session.

 

[Steel_Wind]

My first thought when seeing this thread title was, "Ah! New magic item!"

Heh.

Seriously though, there is a fellow who I have seen at local RPGA conventions wheel in a device that I would swear was a tall portable fishing lure box. I mean tall, as in about 4 feet tall. It has three "levels" of boxes, stacked over each other. The boxes are each on rails that slide out.

There was a recent thread - 1-2 months ago on this. Someone mentioned a "scrapbook" bag - which is kind of a sewing kit thingie changed to a gaming use. And someone posted the link to the multi-level bag you mention above. It was about $160 or so I recall.

I tried to find the thread but could not - someone else may have better luck than I...

 

[D-rock]

I share your pain. Bringing over 60 pounds of books to my games eventually led me to plan my adventures better, cut way down on the books I transport, and either stoping the game if it got off track, or just wingging it if I had to.

I never liked pdfs and laptops. I have always found that I can flip through physical pages faster.

 

[Sieobahn]

I use a plastic crate from a local department store. It is 330mm square. You can keep all of the core books and still have room left over for dice and other bits and pieces. You could sit it on its side and access as a regular shelf, or just leave it on the floor.

 

[IronWolf]

Last time, we used the following:
DMG
PHB
Spycraft
Shadowforce Archer
Expanded Psionics Handbook
Iron Kingdoms Character Guide
Eberron Campaign Setting
MMI
MMIII
C. Adventurer
C. Arcane
Sorcery & Steam
...plus a fair-sized pile of hardcopy DM notes (some of it background material written *ages* ago and not yet on cptr).

C. Divine
C. Warrior
MMII

Iron Kingdoms World Guide
Sharn

I need to print this list and show it to my group! They are always giving me a hard time about how much stuff I bring to a session! I am slowly trying to cut back on what I take to a session. As several of the players in my group have pointed out, I really don't use many of the books I bring along during the game session....

 

[The_Gunslinger658]

A weatherproof laptop satchel, the laptop itself, and pdf files.

Hi ya-

Yup, I scanned darned near my whole collection into my lap top. Time consuming yes, but when I do not want to lug a ton of books around, I just print out the needed monsters I'll need for that session. So as a DM, all I gotta bring with me is my PHB and DMG and adventure notes.


Scott

 

[Axegrrl]

Meh. I should clarify... that list is of the books used by three people in the game session... the DM, me, and one of the players. Said player needed IKCG and Sorcery & Steam ('cause we don't have means to scan the pages). I'm on the list for PHB, XPH, & CAdv. So, 7 books that only the DM used.

Awright, I'm off to the "hobby" store web site to check out scrapbook totes... thx for the idea.

 

[schporto]

Well here's three lockers on wheels.
http://www.hardigg.com/hardigg_cases/portable_travel_cases.htm
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=62560&PRODID=62806
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/index.cfm?photo/tamracnew/strongbox.html

 

[Axegrrl]

Now the trick is going to be actually finding some of those to take a look at....

I did find a web site for the "scrapbooking" totes... looks like about $100 each for the big ones if you can find 'em at less than retail.
http://www.cropinstyle.com/products/totes.html