Have you ever had the problem of too many books? Here are the clues: overflowing shelves, truly dusty tomes and piles that make you trip.

You look over and wonder what else you can do with all these dust collectors. Not every title is worth a second reading. To borrow a phrase from Monty Python, some are not for reading, but for laying down and avoiding.

I believe that much of what we condemn to the landfill has potential (check out my end table); so I was happy to discover a new book that shares this philosophy.

Lisa Occhipinti has come up with a collection of crafty and witty solutions in The Repurposed Library: 33 craft projects that give old books new life.

Need a new (and unusual) lamp? How about a shelf to surprise and delight your friends or maybe a whimsical wall decoration? There are plans for all of these.

Some use only the pages, or covers, and still others the whole book. In any case, you’ll always recognize the original form. A number have clever titles, such as the Book Mobile which is an Alexander-Calder-style creation, rather than a vehicle delivering library service.

With all these interesting ideas for your old books, your overcrowded shelves will soon be looking neater.