bookcase shelving question

[jackcsr87]

I had a carpenter make some bookcases for a basement I'm finishing. He did a nice job, but he held up the face frame about a 1/4 inch to form a lip on the front of the shelves. I'm thinking bookshelves shouldn't have a lip because you'll scrape the bottoms of books pulling them out. Plus it looks much nicer flush . He says it's a matter of taste but he'll make them flush. So I guess I'm just looking for some more opinions on this. What do you guys think ? Thanks, Jack

[giddonah]

You make a valid point about scraping the books. I would only want front lips if they were installed on a boat ;)

[David]

For me, if shelves are for books, no lip. If they are for trinkets, then either way. You said bookcases, so I'd not have expected a lip.

[CThomp]

No lip. That'd annoy me real quick.

[MCC]

It Only Seems Logical No To Have A Lip