10 ways to beautifully part with old books

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Home libraries collected by several generations are gradually going out of fashion, giving way to electronic editions. Traditional books take up a lot of space and often just collect dust, but there are several ways to give them new life.

To get started, sort the books from your home library into several categories:

• publications that you love and want to keep;
• rare collections and individual specimens;
• just good books that are a pity to throw away and can be given to someone;
• completely spoiled publications suitable for waste paper.

Now is the time to consider options for a civilized parting with paper friends.

Private collectors

Despite the fact that many people of this century are trying to get rid of books, the number of those who like to collect valuable and rare copies is only growing. These are professionals who collect antique collections bit by bit.

Look carefully over books over 50. If they are in good condition and do not have the stamp of the library or any institution, then try offering them to collectors through specialized sites.

Second-hand bookstores

In addition to private individuals, antique books are also accepted by second-hand bookstores. Of particular value are publications that contain the signature of the author or illustrations by famous artists, as well as works that have been censored.

The offered books must be in good condition. As a rule, second-hand bookstores have their own sites where you can roughly evaluate your copy.

Libraries

Books that have lost their relevance to you can be taken to the nearest public library. As a rule, employees welcome new “residents” with pleasure and gratitude.

Take encyclopedias, dictionaries, books on local history, history, classic fiction and children's literature to any school library. Libraries of small towns and settlements, experiencing an acute shortage of modern high-quality literature, will be especially happy with books.

Bookcrossing

Bookcrossing is translated as "book exchange". Such actions are very often arranged in libraries, pick-up points of large bookstores, at the entrance to cafeterias, shops and just on the streets.

Here you can bring literature that could interest other people, and in return take any book you like absolutely free. As a result of this exchange, books acquire new loving owners. By registering yourself on a special bookcrossing site and assigning a book to a certain number, you leave it where anyone can take and read the book, for example, in a park or subway, in a cafe or on a street bench.

By the way, you can organize bookcrossing in your own entrance. Just put unnecessary books on the windowsill, and after a while the housemates will surely take part in book exchange.

Anti-cafe, coffee shops, restaurants

An increasing number of catering establishments are organizing small libraries on their territory. Visitors enjoy reading books over a cup of aromatic coffee.

Fiction literature is especially popular, as well as motivating and developing books, children's publications. In general, everything that you can immerse yourself in for a few hours.

State social institutions

Clinics, orphanages, nursing homes, boarding schools and many other similar institutions where your books will definitely be welcome. For example, there are often long queues at the emergency room of a hospital. People can wait for a call for several hours, and, of course, do not take anything to read with them.

In addition, it is possible to track the conduct of various kinds of actions for the acceptance of books. For example, this year an all-Russian action for libraries “Give a child a book!” Has been organized. Each city regularly collects books for soldiers, low-income families and large families, orphanages. Therefore, do not rush to give away books for waste paper. They will definitely be useful to someone!

Exchange and sale online

You can sell books for a small amount of money or exchange books profitably on specialized resources. You register and add your publication to the general catalog. And other users are looking for the necessary literature and contact you via e-mail.

If you need to quickly get rid of books, for example, because of a move, then simply publish an appropriate announcement on the website of your city in the "Give it for free" section. Be sure to indicate "pickup". The post can be posted on social networks and made a small announcement at work (or place of study).

Book installations

From books that have entered the last category, you can create voluminous compositions. If your institution has a library or just creative people, then offer to create extraordinary figures from unnecessary books that will decorate the interior and give a zest to any room.

Furniture from books

Accessories made from tattered books will perfectly complement designs in vintage, country or boho styles. For example, by joining and gluing editions with identical bindings, you can make an original shelf. Extraordinary sofas, armchairs, poufs, stools, lamps, key holders, benches, shades … Old books, which cannot be given to anyone, can be used to create extraordinary interior items and unique furniture. One has only to wake up the imagination.

A very simple way to make a pair of soft stools is to take two stacks of unnecessary books, glue them together, put a stand on the bottom, and a pillow on top. The resulting structure is fastened with straps. Original stools are obtained that can be placed in the hallway or children's room.

Bookcarving

Bookcarving is the art of book carving. If you no longer need the book, then you can turn it into a real art object and give the publication a new, delightful life. Book carving requires concentration, patience, and utmost care. With the help of tweezers, knives, tweezers and glue, extraordinary sculptures are created that reflect the content of the book.