Clean up your crowded bookshelves by donating, recycling, or upcycling your old books.
Brian McWeeney
Books are treasures that hold memories, stories, and knowledge.
Start a Little Lending Library
Youve seen these small public bookcases full of free books.
Credit:Brian McWeeney
Start one on your street and fill it with your titles from your own shelves.
Dont have time or HOA approval to start your own little lending library?
Donate your books to someone elses.
Donate Old Books to a Worthy Cause
One persons old book is another persons unread treasure.
Pass along old books to your local library or a thrift store that benefits a good cause.
Put a drought-hardy plant in your book planter so you wont have to water much.
We recommend a succulent or an air plant.
When upcycling old books, choose books that are not vintage or rare.
Use a craft knife to slice the spines off of old hardcover books.
These make nice gifts for book lovers.
Recycle Your Books
If your books aren’t in great shape, consider recycling them.
Some local recycling programs accept paperback books and hardcover books that have had the covers removed.
Your old books fall into the mixed paper recycling category.
Find a place near you that takes recycled books with thisrecycling locator.
Craft a Book-Page Wreath
Turn your old books into door decor.
Cut pages from an old book into small pieces and pin or glue them onto a wreath base.
Youll get more shelf space along with the satisfaction of making something with your hands.
Make a Book Clock
Turn an old hardcover book into a wall clock.
Display your book clock by standing it on end or hanging it on the wall.
Pick a hardcover book and glue the pages together.
Be patientyou will only be able to cut through 20 or 30 pages at a time.
Keep cutting through the layers of pages until youve got a hole thats the depth you want.
Brush a glue and water solution on the inside of the hole to seal it.
Only you will know this book has a hidden compartment.
Make a Stacked-Book Table Lamp
Upcycle old books by transforming them into a table lamp.
Buy a lamp kit and lampshade.
Stack and arrange 8 to 10 hardcover books, depending on how tall you want the lamp to be.
Drill a hole in the middle of each book.
Assemble the lamp kit parts according to the manufacturers instructions and attach the lampshade for a one-of-a-kind book lamp.
Altered books are a whole genre of craft.
Host a Book Swap
Gather up your book-loving buddies and have a book swap.
Trading books saves you money and gives you a chance to socialize.
If you already belong to abook club, incorporate a book swap at your next meeting.
Passersby will stop to browse.
Print out your prepaid shipping label, mail the books to the vendor, and get your payment.
it’s possible for you to also sell used books on Amazon.
Re-Gift Your Books
Give your old books to people who would appreciate them.
Personalize your gifted book by including a note as to why you chose that book for that person.
