The Repurposed Library

“How-to instructions on crafting with books . . . will inspire you to think about creative ways to make new treasures out of old things” (The Virginian-Pilot).

We all love to read and learn from books, but The Repurposed Library takes our passion even further, presenting us with thirty-three projects to make—quite literally—out of books. For these projects, Lisa Occhipinti rescues and repurposes orphaned and outdated books from flea markets and library sales and turns them into new art objects and practical items for the home. Her creations range from artfully constructed mobiles, wreaths, and vases, to functional items like shelves, storage boxes, and even a Kindle “keeper” for those who want to replicate the sensation of holding a “real” book while reading from an e-reader. Projects utilize every imaginable part of a book—from hardback cover to individual pages—and are a DIY celebration of a new way to view a book’s potential.

“Occhipinti’s ‘repurposed’ books are truly beautiful art objects, and whether or not you’re crafty enough to give them a try yourself, her book is thoroughly enjoyable.” —Fine Books and Collections



“She shows readers how to transform books into mobiles, lamp shades, even clocks.” —National Post