Tree Became a Library (+9 More Book Artworks)

In the quiet Dutch village of Ruurlo, a centuries-old chestnut tree has been transformed into something unexpected: a public library. Masterfully adapted by carpenter Rene Bruns, this open-air book haven now offers shelves of literature nestled inside the gnarled remains of the historic tree. With its glass-fronted wooden bookcases seamlessly embedded in the trunk, it’s become a beloved local spot—and a global inspiration. In this post, we begin with the Ruurlo tree library and will later explore more stunning examples where books and creativity meet in public space.

More!: 11 Public Book Spots We Love (Do it Yourself?)

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1. The Tree Library — Rene Bruns in Ruurlo, Netherlands

This open-air library is built into the trunk of a giant, weathered chestnut tree, with eight custom-fit wooden cabinets inset into the wood. Each cabinet is protected by a framed glass door and filled with community-donated books. The curved shape of the tree trunk was preserved, giving the structure a natural, flowing design that blends into its rural surroundings.

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2. Bookshelf Building — JanIsDeMan in Solnechnodolsk, Russia

A full side of an apartment building is transformed into a 3D bookshelf mural. Painted with impressive depth and shadow, it features shelves of oversized books in Russian, a Matryoshka doll, a castle model, and even a glass. The work celebrates literacy and identity through cultural references.

More by JanIsDeMan!: 8 Happy 3D Artworks by Jan Is De Man That Will Make You Smile

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3. Book Benches

Benches shaped like open books line this public square. Each one features printed text across the “pages,” giving visitors the illusion of reading while they sit. The design encourages a literal pause for thought.

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4. Nadine’s Evening of Adventure — David Zinn in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

A chalk drawing by David Zinn under a flowerpot transforms a simple corner into a magical vignette. A small mouse sits beneath the pot, lit as if it’s a lamp, reading a book in quiet solitude.

More by David Zinn: Street Art by Happiness Maker David Zinn (21 Photos)

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5. The Bibliomoto — Mobile Library in Basilicata, Italy

This converted three-wheeled van has become a moving library, stocked with shelves of books and protected by a tiled roof. Known locally as the Bibliomoto, it brings literature to the streets of southern Italy.

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6. Jimbocho Book Alley — Tokyo, Japan

An outdoor aisle of bookcases in Tokyo’s Jimbocho neighborhood, known as a haven for secondhand booksellers. Here, books line the walls of narrow alleys, inviting passersby to stop and browse.

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7. Life is an Open Book — Brad Spencer in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

A brick sculpture shows children emerging from a vertical wall, climbing and playing as if breaking free from the structure. It’s both a metaphor for education and a statement on public imagination.

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8. Upside Down Reader — Zabou in Moutiers, France

Painted on the underside of a building ledge, this mural by Zabou features a woman absorbed in a book, lying in a field of dandelions.

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9. It’s Easy, Just Open a Book — HERA in Vincennes, France

This mural wraps around a bookstore facade, with a large red fox curled protectively around a child who reads inside its tail. A second child holds on to the fox’s tail, and text on the wall reads: “It’s easy. Just open a book.”

More!: HERA – Crafting Stories on Walls Around the World

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10. The Boat Library — Puglia, Italy

An old fishing boat is upcycled into a seaside bookshelf. Set against the Adriatic coast, the boat’s painted interior holds dozens of books, inviting visitors to “take a book, leave a book.”

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Which one is your favorite?