5000 is impressive... i already have pared down some of my printed volumes. as with most readers, over time my tastes have changed, and I no longer read much fiction...I gave away the vast majority of fiction paperbacks, etc that i owned at one time...am a bit more discriminating with the purchases these days.
hopefully, someday, my kids and grandkids will appreciate my collection.. :)
I’ve reached the point in my teaching/writing career where publishers send me spec copies to review. It’s the best part of being a professional historian—that, and writing off my taxes everything even vaguely related to my studies!
Still, the books pile up. Local charities love me.