Shelf Life is a series of actions and a starting point for examining larger systems of power a reader might overlook for the merits or enjoyment of an individual book. The publication, created by Related Tactics, contains prompts that invite readers to reflect on how our collected knowledge may be incomplete, even if there are some sections that feature a diversity of voices. Are there other areas where we may need to seek out more authors, resources, or publishers, and continue expanding our perspectives?

Shelf Life notably asks readers to sticker categories of books that might otherwise be viewed as normative, therefore the unmarked, invisible center.

Shelf Life was originally created by Related Tactics for Added Value: An Alternative Book Sale, a project commissioned by Public Knowledge, a partnership between the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the San Francisco Public Library. It has most recently travelled to Augusta University where it also manifested as a workshop session with students.