For some context, I have been an historian of a number of rather specific topics. For years I have used my books in writing research papers and even magazine columns. These books have been very special to me both for paying work and pure pleasure. Some are rather valuable ($100+ fire sale on eBay) and others are incredibly rare (few copies are known to exist, but have little to no resale value) that replacing them may take decades. Altogether they comprise about 250, mostly hardcover, and many folio size books, often 300+ pages. Up until recently they have been on several dedicated cases in a spare room of my home in a dry environment with protection from direct sunlight.

Nearly a year ago, a career change forced me out of my profession in history, mainly because my particular niche is no longer paying. Thus for the foreseeable future those books have no working value. In off hours and weekends I had been able to find pleasure in the books as simply a hobby.

Another major life events has occurred to put severe pressure on my book collection and question whether or not I should still own it: the birth of my son. He's only an infant but takes all of my free time. Between work and just being a normal adult like cooking, cleaning, doing, laundry, etc. I now actually have no time to carefully get out my precious books. The room they were in has had to become my son's bedroom.

Several thoughts are running through my head: When will I ever get time to read my books again? Where should I store them until I get free time? Is storage worth it? Should I cash out the valuable ones and try to buy them all back in the future? Should I pay for storage for them?

Just to clarify, I'm very happy with my life right now. My career is different, but not bad in anyway. My son is the joy of my life. And all of the housework, cooking, and cleaning keeps me in shape and moving. I just don't have the time or space for these books and am not sure how to proceed given that I may have time in the future or my son may take interest in what I do.

TL;DR I'm looking for suggestions or personal experience on how you have handled or dealt with a major life experience or event that had a direct impact on your collection of books and the amount of time you have had to read and enjoy them.