MAY 2004 - WYOMING One of the deep, dark secrets of librarianship is that books do have an end to their useful life as reading matter. But some creative souls are turning those old novels into book art. During National Library Week, Marla Rosenlieb of Fort Collins brought her colorful collection of handmade and altered books for a special exhibit at Laramie County Community College.

Rosenlieb's altered books were painted, cut, folded, gold-leafed and rubber-stamped. Most, she said, were books that would have been thrown out. Many of her books have themes, and she collaborates with other book artists on certain projects. "Grandma's Buttons" uses buttons, lace and pictures of the various artists' grandmothers. Each artist in the collaboration does part of the book before mailing it along to the next one.

She doesn't just alter old books, she also creates new ones - from small, simply bound ones to an elaborate creation that stands on the table in the shape of a starburst when opened.

More photographs on Rosenlieb's work are online at www.picturetrail.com/marlarosenlieb The International Society of Altered Book Artists have a Web site at http://www.alteredbookartists.com/