Library Book Desk
I stumbled across a photo of this desk made of library books while I was… at the library! My local library’s kids’ discovery room had an activity where kids could use bricks of library books stacked together to make their own desk inspired by this one, at the Delft University of Technology library in the Netherlands. The photo was captured by Ellen Forsyth, who likes to photograph libraries for fun.
A closer look at the book desk. Looks like it has a wooden base, and I can’t tell if there are any other structural supports on the desk. although there are places in the book groupings that look like they are fairly uniform in flatness. The whole thing is topped off with a Plexiglass (or is it glass?) desktop.
This general idea is intriguing for several different furniture applications; end tables made of old books seems achievable. Just hit up your library next time the Friends of the Library have their yearly sale.
And before you complain about using books for construction, I just want to point out that all those $200 textbooks you used in college went sadly obsolete the year after you used them (I used to work at a college bookstore!), and there are MANY unloved books floating out in the world. And, depending on the construction of the desk, these books could conceivably be used again if the desk was dismantled.
This post is primarily about the book desk, but TU Delft bibliotheek is quite an impressive building, so let me just share a few snaps from the rest of the library. All photos were taken by Ellen Forsyth.
I love the library “study spiral.”
The library has many different study areas, each with their own character. I like the groupings of boxy red and green couches. The strings hanging from the tufting buttons add an element of organic movement, as well as the feel that something is “undone.” (I’ll talk about that concept another time!)
A grouping of purple chairs in a different study area.
These oversized chairs look comfy.
This view of the library stacks made me gasp when I first saw it.
That sounds a really great library activity – and I am glad you like my photographs.
I LOVE THIS. I am on a mega book-repurposing kick right now, I posted a tutorial a couple weeks ago for turning a defunct hardbound book into a sketchbook. I love the idea of making an end table!
Wow! That desk is incredible, great pics Ellen!
I’m going to have to start saving the discards at work so I can build some book furniture.
I saw the photo of the book desk a while back and I haven’t forgotten it since. I love the idea of making an end table — that hadn’t crossed my mind and it does seem do-able. We have two different book swaps in my area where you can donate books or collect them for free. Lots of stuff turns up there that probably never finds a home. This would be a great way to repurpose those books.Thanks so much for the inspiration!
is it sad that the library has cooler furniture than i do?
very cool idea, yard sales & thrift stores are good places to find cheap books for diy too.
Wow. That thing is amazing.
Love your new adventure. You are hackers after my own heart.
Love this find Heather, awesome! Featured it on Craft Gossip here http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/library-desk-made-of-books/
Years ago I made a lamp out of old books, I stacked the books to get a form I liked. Then I drilled a hole through them and put a threaded rod inside to hold the together and run the wires through. Added a lamp kit. Looked great on my office desk.
I think I almost fell out of my chair with joy at that last pic. What a gorgeous library!!!
This is one of the greatest and greenest things ever! Freaking awesome!
Wow, as a retired library worker I simply love this idea! Now, where can I put mine? I’m thinking my new crafting table would be cool done in decor and craft books. I’m sure my local used book stores would LOVE me!
Wow, I work in a law library that will move and be downsized, loosing 50% of our roughly 5000 square feet, which means that hundreds of legal books will be discarded. (It’s all online, and we pay for access.) I think making at least the reference/circulation desk from those books would be FAB. Maybe it could be polyurethaned for durability!
I love this! Great pictures Ellen!