Good to hear back from you Shep!
After you've gotten rid of your books and have seen what you've done with the funds, how do you feel? From your post, it looks like you feel pretty darned good, and that means that you did the right thing. So, congratulations and good for you.
I went through the same sort of faze. Why am I collecting? How often am I looking and reading my books? Could I put that capital to better use? I decided I could and ended up selling most of my more valuable books. How did I feel after I did it? Well, I certainly had mixed emotions, but ultimately I know I did the right thing, so I was happy.
I can tell you that after I packed up all of those books and sent them to Heritage, I felt free. Kind of a weird way to explain it, but the books that meant so much to me, and cumulatively, had a pretty high value, were no longer there for me to worry about. There was a great weight lifted off of my shoulders.
Actually, this is where my story now ties into Mick's. I didn't have any change of heart until I visited Mick and his family, and actually got to see the beauty of them after they had left my possession. Oh, I was floored. Perhaps I didn't show it too much, but not only did I see an absolutely astonishing collection of books, but the passion that I used to feel, rushed back and smacked me in the face, yelling "What the $%#^ did you do??".
I felt torn inside. Until I actually left Mick's place did I come back down to my happy land of unicorns, rainbows and lollipops.
...and I do love your place, too, Mick.