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Minecraft lectern – how to craft and use a lectern

What is a Minecraft lectern? Use this guide to figure out exactly how to craft and how to use this exciting item. It's used for much more than reading books.

Minecraft lectern: Steve leaning down next to a lectern item

Need somewhere to prop your book? Look no further than our guide to Minecraft lecterns. Here, you can find the uses of the item, how to make it, and where you can find some in the wild. It does actually have more purpose than just holding books, so grab one and get using it with other items like redstone to create some really fun contraptions. Or, use it as a nice decoration in your base.

We’re mad for Minecraft at PT Towers, so we’ve put together a series of great guides to help you navigate this often confusing and overwhelming world. Be sure to read our other guides covering Minecraft mobs, the Minecraft ender dragon, Minecraft end portal, Minecraft skins, and the best Minecraft games.

How do I craft a Minecraft lectern?

Building a Minecraft lectern is fairly simple, as long as you have some wood and a couple of bookshelves. The main thing you need is wood slabs, which you can make by placing three wood planks across the middle slots on the crafting table. To make a bookshelf, you need wood planks and some books. Using all slots of the crafting table, place wood planks across the bottom three and the top three slots. Next, place books in all three middle slots, and you have yourself a bookshelf.

Now to actually craft the lectern. Place wood planks in the top three slots, and the bottom middle slot. Then place a bookshelf in the middle slot, making a T shape, and you can now craft a lectern! A lectern can hold books for the player to read, and clicking on a lectern with a book places it. This is also a very handy item for one other reason…

How do I use a lectern as a redstone signal?

As well as being able to hold a book and a quill in Minecraft, a lectern also emits a redstone signal. As with many redstone builds, it can be complicated, so we have included a detailed breakdown from Youtube creator xisumavoid below.

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We hope this Minecraft lectern guide helped you to unlock some new features and place this lovely little item somewhere in your Minecraft house. If you need even more blocks in your life though, be sure to check out our best Lego gaming sets guide, including some incredible Mario and Minecraft builds.