Book lovers will have a chance to buy a piece of literary holiday cheer this year at the Lehighton Area Memorial Library.

The library is selling dozens of handmade "trees," each made from a recycled book.Library employees got the idea for the project after working on ornaments for the Lehighton park's Christmas tree display, which will host dozens of trees decorated by local businesses and organizations. The display is part of Lehighton's 150th anniversary celebration."I knew that the library would have a tree, and the trees in the park are going to draw people," said Kathy Long, a library aide. "I wanted to make library-themed ornaments."She began researching ways to create weatherproof ornaments for their outdoor tree in the park. During that time, Long also stumbled upon a few ideas for trees made from recycled books.During the weeks before Thanksgiving, Long, fellow aide Nancy Markley, and other library supporters have been folding, stacking and decorating dozens of discarded books into trees. The resulting display is proof that you really cannot judge a book by its cover: Even after its cover is removed (the first step in creating a book tree), its pages are still a thing of beauty.The average folded tree was made using books with 120-150 pages, many of them discarded children's books that the library was unable to sell.Every donated book that the library receives is evaluated. Books in very good condition that aren't already available at the library are put out on the lending shelves. Donations in good condition are also sold at the library's ongoing book sale in the Book Nook. But other books are in poor condition, too old to be of interest to patrons, or otherwise unfit for sale or loan. It was these books that sparked Long's interest in finding a use for recycled books."It's a little something different, but it's all for the same purpose - it's a fundraiser to keep the library open for all generations," said Long. "We wanted to generate interest and get people to cross the street after they visit the tree display."She noted that the Lehighton Area Memorial Library serves and benefits community members of all ages, from the youngest children attending story time to adults using the library to access the Internet, take part in adult coloring sessions, or join the library's book club. And of course, the library continues to loan books and electronic books for all ages and interests.Every tree was made using similar process: Remove the cover from a discarded book, then fold each page individually. Once the entire book's pages are folded, employees painted and decorated each tree with a different theme or style. Some have minimal decoration, maintaining their simplistic form, while others are heavily decorated and festive."The trees won't have price tags, but we're hoping people will be generous," said Long. She noted that while the library holds an annual fundraising drive each autumn, the library depends on the community's support throughout the year to remain open.The Lehighton Area Memorial Library is located at 124 North St. in Lehighton. The library is open Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 7 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturday during the school year from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.A schedule of the library's programs and events is available at

www.lehightonlibrary.com.