Wired recently posted a story on Daniel Reetz, a grad student who has hacked together a working book scanner for about $300 worth of parts.  I can’t imagine my wife allowing me to have this contraption in our small apartment, but the prospect of digitizing my library is incredibly attractive.  Reetz constructed his book scanner from plywood, acrylic, two Canon Powershot A590 cameras, two lights, and an assortment of software.  He’s even written a how-to guide (PDF) for anyone who might want to replicate the project.  It’s quite an amazing gadget, and given the burgeoning e-reader market, could start to catch on with DIYers.
Watch the video demonstration.
DIY Book Scanner Introduction and Motivation from Daniel Reetz on Vimeo.
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve. (Romans 16:17-18)