Secret Library Shelf Reusing Old Books! 2026

Secret Library Shelf Reusing Old Books, the outside parts of the books are laminated into slats that are attached and trapped in a track inside the box, just like a roll-top desk, only to the sides.

Also, decorating the box is completely up to the individual builder. I had some walnut paneling and molding left over from an old broken cabinet, so I used that to give it an antique look.

To build a Secret Library Shelf Reusing Old Books, you will need:

• Lots of old books.
• Some strips of wood the same width as the columns of the book, about 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch thick.
• 1/2 to 1 inch thick plywood or MDF.
• Thin plywood, pressed wood, or other backing material
• Screws. You'll need some to build the sliding mechanism. These should be 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch screws with a shaft narrower than the width of your slats. Screw heads should be the typical type, tapered wood screw type, 1/4 to 5/8 inch wide. You will need more to build the case. These should be the same type of tapered wood screw, but 1/2 inch longer than the thickness of your plywood/MDF.
• Wood router.
• Drill.
• Sierra. You will need a table saw, circular saw, or any saw capable of making straight 90 degree cuts in your plywood/MDF. You will also need a miter saw or any saw capable of cutting the slats to the perfect length, with 90 degree perpendiculars.
• Wood glue.
• Clamps.
• Cloth.
• Lacquer, polyurethane. in case you need to cover the outside cover of the book and to protect them.
• Wax.
• 80, 100 or 120 sandpaper.
• Scissors.
• Adhesive tape.
• Circle template. Something with a 2-2 1/2 inch radius. U
• Pencil or other marking tool.

Step 1: Planning the dimensions of your project

So the way this all works, is the "Drum" (the group of fabric backed slats that slides on the track) splits in the middle and slides to the sides of the box. So:

• You will need the inside of your box to be as wide as the number of books you want to use, plus about 2 inches.
• You will need the inside of your box to be the same height as the outside of the book, plus about 1/8 of an inch.
• You will need the inside of your box to be as deep as half the width of your box, minus the width of one of the books.
• Your final external dimensions will be these numbers plus twice the thickness of your material.

I know this is a strange way to measure, but everyone's books and boxes will be different dimensions, so this ensures that the project will work independently.

Step 2: Measure and Cut Your Materials

Cut your plywood/MDF lengthwise and widthwise with your table saw or other capable saw. You will need to add twice the thickness of your material to the height of the sides.

Mark and cut your slats at the height of the spines of your book.

Step 3: Mark and Route Your Track

On the top and bottom pieces of plywood/MDF, about 1/2 inch from the front and side edges, mark a straight line running parallel to these edges

Use your circle template to mark a round corner for your track, as shown. Use your router set to a depth of about 1/4 inch to 5/8 inch, to cut exactly along the inside of your mark. If necessary, create a low-dial template. Run your track around the edge and from the back edge of the box onto the top and bottom pieces of the mdf.

Use your papersandpaper to sand the inner edges of the track without problems. Also make sure the bottom is completely flat and level, this is very important.

Step 4: Remove the cover from your books

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