How to recycle old library books
Book Art – Creative Ideas for Old Books
Book Art by Clare Youngs is a wonderfully practical and inspiring resource for classrooms, libraries, and creative spaces. It presents dozens of approachable ideas for transforming old books into decorations, displays, stationery, and hands-on art projects.
The activities range from quick, low-prep ideas to more involved projects that work well as collaborative class displays. It’s particularly effective for visual arts, design lessons, library activities, and cross-curricular work linked to reading and storytelling.
Classroom note
From experience, it’s important to clearly explain which books are suitable for repurposing—especially with younger students. Establish a clear distinction between library books and craft books, and label shared materials clearly.
Once that boundary is set, this book becomes a fantastic way to encourage student creativity while reinforcing respect for books and shared resources.
Opens Amazon in your region where available.
For more creative classroom resources, explore our Books & Reading Resources .
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