There is controversy swirling through book communities - is it ever all right to "maim" a book? Can you cut it up, repurpose it, or change it so that it is made unreadable? Or should a book only be read and then disposed off, sent back to the earth from which it came? It is Delmarva Discussions view that as long as a book is wanted for reading, it should be used for reading. Once that life, for whaever reason, is over, it is fine to repurpose the volume.

The repurposing of books allows people to see books in new and different ways. It is hoped that this will build new respect for books as important objects and artifacts of society and culture. If you have books which have reached the end of their reading life, here are some ways to keep them useful and to recycle, promote and elevate them.

1. Thick, hard-covered books make great boxes to hide keepsakes and small valuables in. Cut out a compartment in the pages with an exacto knife,, insert your object, shelve with your other books. While no one believes will actually fool real thieves, it is a safeguard against prying visitors, workmen, babysitters, and other casual sneak thieves.

2. Use the above to wrap a gift!

3. Have you ever thought of making accessories with old books? Here is the Recycled Hardcover Book Purse at http://www.hgtv.com/crafting/recycled-hardcover-book-purse/index.html

4. Make artwork... cut out pictures from your favorite books and make a collage to frame or decoupage to a library tabletop!

5. Make a library table. For coffee tables, take a large set of books (old encyclopedias, anyone?), glue together in two or four pillars of equal height, alternating the opening end and spines. Top with glass. For a side table, use one stack of books and top with glass table round. For the someone in your life, use books that are their favorites or about their occupational field.

6. Visit the web page of the The International Society of Altered Book Artists and get inspired to create your own works of book art.

7. Build book ends to contain your other books. Take 2 books, glue them together side by side. Glue these to the end of a metal "T" book end. Glue one book to the other side of the "T". This gives you a sturdy bookend that blends in with the other books instead of the ugly metal bookstop!

8. Create journals by binding writing paper to interesting covers. Unfortunately, sometimes, the best part of the book is the cover!

9. Wallpaper a wall - Decoupage a door. You can use pages from books to wallpaper using ordinary wallpaper paste. Just take your time - slightly overlap pages and use a wallpaper brush to clear out the bubbles and crinkles.

10. Make a book vase. Make a template of the vase's shape on thin cardboard, Cut out. Remove the cover and back of a thick book. Use the template as a guide to cut the shape in the book pages, moving it every few pages until the entire book is cut into the shape. Take the front and back and fold back together at the spine to create the vase. Glue.

11. Do you scrapbook? Use pages from your favorite books as background, cutouts, or mats, just like you do with scrap booking paper.

12. Make beads. Because book paper is usually thin, it works best when made into tapered beads. Cut strips into very long slender triangles the whole length of the page from top to bottom. You can make the beads any length you want from 1/4" up to 2" but the effect works best when you cut the wide end of the triangle to about 1/2" to 3/4". Roll around round wooden toothpicks or even thin knitting needles, widest end first. Use plain white glue to secure the end of the rolled up strip - place a dab of glue on a scrap piece of paper and use a toothpick to apply the glue onto the inside of the end of the paper strip before taking the bead off of the rolling pin. Let set and then take off the roller. For shiny beads, finish with Modgepodge or top coat nailpolish.