I have two large Billy bookcases and they are stuffed (sometimes double shelved) with ,y regular reading books. and I can tell you the shelves are very sturdy, even with all that weight. The previous shelves were bowing before we got the ones from Ikea to replace the cheaper ones - which are now in the garage. My son has several pieces of furniture I bought him when he moved to Kirkland, WA after law school in 2009. The dining table and chairs are now jn Aurora, CO with wife, son and new daughter and are still in super condition. He also has a dresses and night stands. I love Ikea and get down to the one in Charlotte as often as I can. I’m looking at more bookshelves when I rearrange the master bedroom and I would not hesitate to buy anything from them.