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January 23, 2020 · 58 Comments

A Unique and Easy Way Reuse Old Encyclopedias and Books In Your Home

Furniture

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Are you wondering what to do with old encyclopedias? I figured out a way to reuse them in our home without damaging them!

Are you wondering what to do with old encyclopedias? We had very outdated encyclopedia sets, and they had sat on our shelves untouched for years. The salvation army, thrift store, the local library, local schools, local recycler, etc won’t take donations of encyclopedias or donations of all kinds of encyclopedias anymore.

Are you wondering what to do with old encyclopedias? I figured out a way to reuse them in our home without damaging them!

Compared to older sets of encyclopedias, our world book encyclopedia set was in good condition, these reference books were just outdated. Since these books were of historical value but little value to most I wanted to find a purposeful use for them in my home. So I figured out a way to reuse them in our home without damaging them!

A Unique and Easy Way Reuse Old Encyclopedias and Books In Your Home Video

Here's a picture of our old encyclopedias. I moved them to our living room.

Here’s a picture of our old encyclopedias. I moved them to our living room.

I bought 2 of these trays from the Target Dollar Spot.

I bought 2 of these trays from the Target Dollar Spot.

I started by stacking the encyclopedias on either side of a bench we have in our living room.

I started by stacking the encyclopedias on either side of a bench we have in our living room.

I placed a tray on top of the book stacks.

I placed a tray on top of the book stacks.

Now I have side tables in our living room which is also our reading room.

Now I have side tables in our living room which is also our reading room.

You can see how to make my Zen Garden here

I decided I wanted to try another version, so I spiraled the books in and added the tray on top. I really love how this one turned out. Which one do you like better?

I decided I wanted to try another version, so I spiraled the books in and added the tray on top. I really love how this one turned out. Which one do you like better?

We had a set of very out dated encyclopedias, and they had sat on our shelves untouched for years. Thrift Stores, Libraries, etc won't take them anymore. So I figured out a way to reuse them in our home without damaging them!

I’m thrilled I saved them from the garbage bin! You could do this with old hardcover books and old dictionaries too. If you’re looking for what to do with telephone directories, then you might be interested in my trivet DIY

Places you might be able to donate or place old books:

  • rare bookseller
  • old book collectors
  • local libraries
  • retail sites
  • book store
  • craigs list
  • library fundraisers
  • second-hand bookstores
  • school district
  • old bookshops
  • resale organizations

How do I know if a book is worth something?

  • check out the company’s website
  • what is the age of the books
  • is it a complete encyclopedia, an entire set (full 32-volume print edition), and is it a fine set of 11th edition Britannica
  • are the text books out of date, does it meet educational standards or is it a lack of relevance
  • check and see if they are rare editions by looking inside the pages of the hardcover book
  • are they in clean condition

Find out “What Exactly Does It Mean To Repurpose Or Upcycle“, save money, and create the most amazing things.

What to do with old encyclopedias Video

Are you wondering what to do with old encyclopedias? I figured out a way to reuse them in our home without damaging them!

Share it with others!

About Chas

My website is about what I repurpose, upcycle, organize, clean, and hack today. I love to teach, craft, organize, inspire, help, collaborate, and build a community! Read More…

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenny says

    January 23, 2020 at 6:01 am

    That is a cool idea and perfect for a reading space. The Target dollar spot always has such good stuff. My sister is a librarian and this would be so cool in the high school library where she works.

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 23, 2020 at 7:27 am

      Thank you Jenny and I love that idea of something like this in your sister’s library. Love that Target dollar spot 🙂

      Reply
  2. Gail says

    January 23, 2020 at 7:32 am

    What a lovely eureka moment using old books to create these side tables! Perfect for avid readers, librarians or anyone who enjoys having books around them!

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 23, 2020 at 7:34 am

      Thank you so much Gail, I’m so glad they could be put to some good use and not just be taken to the dump.

      Reply
  3. Angela at Simply Beautiful By Angela says

    January 23, 2020 at 9:59 am

    Such a fun and unique idea! I especially love the spiraled version 🙂

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 23, 2020 at 12:10 pm

      Thank you so much Angela.

      Reply
  4. Beverly says

    January 23, 2020 at 10:22 am

    What a unique way to use those old encyclopedias! I love the spiral look best.

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 23, 2020 at 12:10 pm

      Thank you Beverly and that’s my favorite too.

      Reply
  5. Our Hopeful Home says

    January 23, 2020 at 11:11 am

    How ingenious! Truly a unique idea and it turned out great. I actually like the first version the best:) xo Kathleen

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 23, 2020 at 12:11 pm

      Thank you so much Kathleen, and thanks for weighing in – fun to see what everyone likes best.

      Reply
  6. Molly says

    January 23, 2020 at 11:42 am

    This is a brilliant idea

    Molly

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 23, 2020 at 12:11 pm

      You’re so sweet Molly, thank you 🙂

      Reply
  7. Michelle James says

    January 23, 2020 at 12:24 pm

    This is such a cool project. I have tons of old books in my basement. I would love to make this!

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 23, 2020 at 12:56 pm

      Thank you so much Michelle – it’s a great way to use them without damaging anything too

      Reply
  8. Alice says

    January 23, 2020 at 4:28 pm

    That’sa May idea for reusing something like books that doesn’t destroy them.

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 23, 2020 at 4:42 pm

      Thank you so much Alice 🙂

      Reply
  9. mireille says

    January 24, 2020 at 5:25 am

    Such a great idea and anyone can do this!
    chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 24, 2020 at 7:01 am

      Thank you Mireille

      Reply
  10. Michele Morin says

    January 24, 2020 at 5:26 am

    What a beautifully bookish project!

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 24, 2020 at 7:01 am

      Thank you so much Michele

      Reply
  11. Cathy Kennedy says

    January 24, 2020 at 5:45 am

    We have a set of outdated encyclopedias and as much as I love this idea, it would be hard for me to do this to ours since they were a gift from my late in-laws. You’re very clever with re-purposing old stuff.

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 24, 2020 at 7:02 am

      Thank you and I totally understand. When I made this I wanted to be sure not to damage the books… just in case 🙂

      Reply
  12. Meredith says

    January 24, 2020 at 9:00 am

    I love the look of them when they are spiraled! We had so many of those growing up, it brings back memories!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 24, 2020 at 9:16 am

      Thank you Meredith, and I love it when a project speaks to someone and brings back memories. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
  13. Tracy Albiero says

    January 24, 2020 at 11:44 am

    So simple but makes a statement! A great way to reuse those old books! #trafficjam #trafficjamweekend

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 24, 2020 at 2:33 pm

      Thank you so much Tracy 🙂

      Reply
  14. Antionette Blake says

    January 24, 2020 at 8:00 pm

    What a great way to upcycle books. Thanks for sharing #trafficjamweekend

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 25, 2020 at 8:07 am

      Thank you so much Antionette – love that they’re getting used in some way

      Reply
  15. lisa jung says

    January 25, 2020 at 11:43 am

    Iam thinking of making something like this for a fundraiser for our small library in town. Thanks- traffic Jam weekend Linky party.

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 25, 2020 at 12:17 pm

      Thank you Lisa, and I’m thrilled you want to make one too. Please send me pictures if you do

      Reply
  16. Michelle says

    January 25, 2020 at 11:02 pm

    Totally awesome! I find the spiral fascinating. Is it as steady as the other version?

    Michelle
    mybijoulifeonline.com
    Thanks for linking up to Creative Compulsions!

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 26, 2020 at 6:04 am

      Thank you so much Michelle, and yes both are really stable because they’re so heavy.

      Reply
  17. Aletha Oglesby, M.D. says

    January 27, 2020 at 8:43 am

    I like to give books away, but old reference or text books aren’t suitable for passing on. I like that this gives them a new purpose. I like the straight arrangement better.

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 27, 2020 at 10:43 am

      Thank you so much Aletha. I totally agree to passing books on, and this is great for any that are outdated, not relevant, and no one wants anymore.

      Reply
  18. Lauren Renee Sparks says

    January 28, 2020 at 9:53 am

    As an avid reader and writer I LOVE this idea! Visiting you from the hello monday link up. laurensparks.net

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 28, 2020 at 10:04 am

      Thank you so much Lauren, I’m thrilled you love it.

      Reply
  19. Frani Willis says

    January 28, 2020 at 10:37 am

    Love this idea! My favorite is the spiral. Are you going to make the stack permanent? Following to see.

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 28, 2020 at 2:23 pm

      Hi Frani, thank you so much. I haven’t made it permanent just in case there ends up being some one who needs them or they are useful in their original state to someone.

      Reply
  20. Donna @ Modern on Monticello says

    January 28, 2020 at 1:43 pm

    My first thought was I need to go to Target to get one of those trays! Love those. I think I like the spiral version the best. It is more visually interesting. And you can go ahead and box up the Peanuts plush set and send them to my house too. LOL Thanks for sharing your post with us at #HomeMattersParty. I will be checking out the monthly Thrift Store Challenge for next month.

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 28, 2020 at 2:24 pm

      Thank you Donna, and I’m thrilled you like it, the trays, and the Peanuts gang 🙂 Thanks for sharing your input, I like them best that way as well.

      Reply
  21. Lisa notes says

    January 28, 2020 at 7:33 pm

    I love what you did with the encyclopedias. We had two old sets from my parents’ house that we had to get rid of. I should have been as resourceful as you instead! 🙂

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 29, 2020 at 5:55 am

      Thank you Lisa, and I totally understand. It was hard just watching them sit on the shelves, and when no one takes them – what do you do.

      Reply
  22. Lisa | Handmade in Israel says

    January 29, 2020 at 5:06 am

    What a great idea! They look fabulous in a spiral.

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 29, 2020 at 5:55 am

      Thank you so much Lisa

      Reply
  23. Sim @ Sim's Life says

    January 29, 2020 at 5:22 am

    What a fabulous way to re-use and upcycle the encyclopedia’s giving them a new lease of life! I love the spiral design best! Sim x #TrafficJam

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 29, 2020 at 5:55 am

      Thank you so much Sim, I am liking that one better too 🙂

      Reply
  24. Pamela says

    January 29, 2020 at 9:14 am

    What a clever idea! Love the color of them too, we had cream ones growing up and these look so much “richer”. Hard to believe my kids probably don’t know what an encyclopedia is!!

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 29, 2020 at 9:47 am

      Thank you Pamela, and that made me giggle because you’re right on who knows what an encyclopedia is anymore. My kids didn’t know what a cart catalog was either.

      Reply
  25. Kristie says

    January 30, 2020 at 1:37 am

    I tend to think old encyclopedias and dictionaries are going to be collectible someday. We all grew up (pre 1980s people) with a set on the bookshelf! #littlecottagelinkparty

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 30, 2020 at 7:01 am

      I hope so, that’s one reason I didn’t glue or damage the books when using this method 🙂

      Reply
  26. Pam says

    January 30, 2020 at 7:18 am

    This is such a clever idea. I love it! I’ve featured it today at Thursday Favorite Things.

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 30, 2020 at 7:25 am

      Thank you so much Pam and thank you so very much for the feature. You’ve made my day

      Reply
  27. Teresa says

    January 30, 2020 at 10:40 am

    I love this idea, especially the spiral version. Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party. Pinned.

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 30, 2020 at 12:04 pm

      Thank you Teresa, and thanks for casting your vote. See you at the next party.

      Reply
  28. Julie says

    January 31, 2020 at 5:00 am

    I love the spiral version.
    We have a fabulous place not too far from us called the Book farm. It’s a load of old farm buildings that has been converted into a second hand book shop. It’s just fabulous. It goes on and on, book heaven. They have comfy sofas every now and again and log burners so you can cosy up and look at a book or two before you buy. Anyway, the point of this story is that they have a table similar to this by one of their sofas but it’s a fake, made to look like books but not really. I think I shared it on IG a few years ago as I liked it so much! I like yours even more!!!

    Reply
    • Chas says

      January 31, 2020 at 6:54 am

      Thank you and thanks so much for sharing that with all of us. The book store sounds absolutely fantastic!

      Reply
  29. Pili says

    February 4, 2020 at 10:58 am

    What a great idea, the spiral version looks so cool!

    Reply
    • Chas says

      February 4, 2020 at 11:16 am

      Thank you so much Pili

      Reply

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