To celebrate the Library's 100th birthday, we are embarking on a community-wide project called Books Unbound, in which people will make altered books that will be auctioned off to raise money for the library. What is an altered book, you ask? According to the International Society of Altered Book Artists website, an altered book is: "any book, old or new that has been recycled by creative means into a work of art. They can be ... rebound, painted, cut, burned, folded, added to, collaged in, gold-leafed, rubber stamped, drilled or otherwise adorned ... and yes! It is legal!"

Every year, the library withdraws dozens of books that are worn out, damaged, or that contain out-of-date information. Rather than having these books end up in a landfill, why not make them into art? I have withdrawn several books from the Teen section, and I can assure you that the covers are very 80's. Watch this blog, because sometime this summer I plan to host an impromptu altered book afternoon.