Dreaming up a Modern Library

I love bookcases and bookshelves and book cabinets, and even books stacked up in random places--I love it all, which makes it quite difficult to design a library. Because, you see, I want it all. I have some pre-set parameters, however, which as good a place to start as any in whittling down my options. Obv. I have mid-century modern house, so the Edwardian and the Baroque styles are out like trout. Also, I actually like the books themselves too...which means that we need to consider the storage space and browsing friendliness: this isn't just an art project. We are not paying homage to the idea of a home library, we actually want a home library.

First of all, there is a must-have: I must have an Eames lounge chair in my library.  Just looking at it makes me itch to cuddle up and read (and you can't get much more mid-century modern than Eames.)  Super <3 <3

Second, the space I have to work with is one of the few spots in the house that is confined by a moderate ceiling height.  It may be true that the "ultimate" library requires a ladder and/or a telescope to see what titles are on the top shelf, but since that isn't really an option for me, I've decided that it is over-rated anyhow.  What real reader is okay with their books being inaccessible??  Besides, I'm a little too good at weeding out unwanted books to really justify sky-scraping, dust-catching shelves.  The books I have, I want to see.

In another room, I may just have to do something decorative, especially since I'm looking for the perfect way to display my collection of classic novellas.  Maybe something like these:

If anyone is in the mood to make one of those for me, I have no problem accepting charity!  But for the library, we need some serious book storage capacity.  However, I'm not feeling the whole normal-built-in-boring-shelf-syndrome.  Here are some shelves that inspire me:

A little awkward perhaps, but at least it's interesting.

Probably not practical enough for serious book
storage, but I love it all the same.

This is the most serious option--tons of character, tons of
storage, and varying heights for books of all sizes.  AND
it's gorgeous.

(bookshelf photos courtesy of the bookshelf blog--fabulous site, check it out!)