From Worn Pages to Works of Art

By Bonnie Aspen, Resident and Friends of the Barrington Public Library Board Member

Breathing New Life Into Old Books

In a bright corner of the Barrington Public Library, the gentle rustle of paper has taken on a new rhythm. Volunteers from the Friends of the Barrington Public Library are busy transforming tattered, timeworn pages into something entirely new—delightful crafts that breather new life into books too worn to sell.

Not every donated book can make it to the Daily Sale shelves or the Big Sales in July and November. Some arrive with missing covers, loose bindings, or pages softened by time. But the Friends see potential in every story. Instead of letting these books reach their end, volunteers dreamed up a way to turn their creativity into art.

Craft Kits Born From Well‑Loved Pages

Those faded pages and broken bindings are reborn as beautiful craft kits for collage, scrapbooking, and paper art. Each kit is thoughtfully assembled using materials from books that have reached the end of their reading life. The result is a new way for these books to live on—through the hands of crafters, artists, and families.

What began as a handful of simple projects has blossomed into a growing collection of imaginative creations.

Cheerful Blooms & Holiday-inspired kits

You’ll find Loopy Flower Kits: cheerful blooms made from colorful book pages and ready for crafters to assemble at home. For autumn, the Day of the Dead Garland Kits featured bright sugar skulls and marigolds, blending festive tradition with literary flair. Spooky Houses, handcrafted entirely from recycled books, also appeared in October. Each one was a one-of-a-kind miniature

masterpiece.

As the seasons turn, so do the projects. For the holiday season volunteers have crafted Holiday Gift Tags that add a touch of handmade warmth to gifts.

All kits and creations are available in the Daily Sale area and outside the McCulloch Children’s Room on the library’s second floor.

Supporting the Library, One Craft at a Time

Each item sold serves a dual purpose: it rescues materials that might otherwise go to waste and raises funds for the library’s programs and services. More than 88% of the library’s funding for museum passes, concerts, films, lectures, workshops, and more are powered by proceeds from Friends’ sales and events.

These projects are more than crafts! They’re a celebration of imagination, community, and sustainability. They are proof that even a book too damaged to re‑sell can still spark creativity and connection.

Visit and Be Inspired

Stop by the library to see what our volunteers have dreamed up next. You might discover the perfect decoration, a thoughtful handmade gift, or a new way to create together with family and friends.

And remember: no sellable books were harmed in the making of these kits.

By Bonnie Aspen, Resident and Member of Friends of the Barrington Public Library

 *adapted from article submitted to Greet Barrington