How to make a lectern in Minecraft (+Recipe)

Last Updated: November 4, 2020

Introduction

A lectern might not sound like the most exciting item. After all, it’s a type of podium usually used for reading out loud, so most people probably associate lecterns with sermons and lectures. When it comes to Minecraft, however, the lectern is a popular item that many players want to know how to craft and use.

So whether you like to see a lectern in real life or not, if you’re looking for advice on making a Minecraft lectern, read on for a full explanation of how to make and use a lectern in Minecraft.

Once you’re finished learning how to make a lectern, be sure to check out our Minecraft cheats page for more user-submitted hints, tips, and Easter eggs!

What is a lectern in Minecraft?

Lecterns were actually planned for Minecraft as far back as 2012, but it took some time before the idea actually worked out. After a few scrapped attempts, active development of lecterns resumed in 2018 and they were finally added to the game, first as items with no actual functionality and then eventually as the useful items they are today.

A lectern can hold a single book and quill or a written book. If there is a book on the lectern, players can interact with it in order to read the book. Multiple players can read the same book at the same time if it’s on a lectern. When you turn the page of a book, the lectern will emit a redstone signal with higher strength depending on what the page number is. Lecterns can also be used to give your village a librarian. A villager who has not claimed a job site block can take on the librarian profession if there is an unclaimed lectern in the village.

How to make a lectern

Lecterns can generate naturally in village libraries, but you can also craft them to make your own lectern:

  1. Gather wood and use it to craft 4 wood slabs. These slabs can be of any type of wood.
  2. Gather paper and leather and use them to craft 3 books.
  3. Gather more wood and use it together with the 3 books to craft a bookshelf. Now you have all the materials you need to craft a lectern.
  4. Open the crafting menu again.
  5. Arrange materials with 3 wooden slabs in the top row, the bookshelf in the middle of the second row, and the 4th wooden slab in the middle of the third row. A lectern should appear in the preview image to the right of the crafting menu.
  6. Add the lectern to your inventory.

Now you are free to place your lectern wherever you want and add a book to it to read.

Minecraft Lectern Recipe

The recipe for a lectern in Minecraft requires 4 wood slabs (any type of wood) and 1 bookshelf. They should be arranged in the 3×3 crafting grid with the bookshelf in the very center, with 1 slab of wood directly below it and the other 3 slabs of wood above it.

A wood slab can be created with 3 wood planks.

A bookshelf can be crafted with 6 wood planks and 3 books.

A book can be crafted with 3 papers and 1 leather.

Therefore, to create a lectern from scratch, the total materials you will need for the recipe are 18 wood planks of any type of wood, 9 papers, and 3 pieces of leather. One log placed in the crafting grid will give you 4 wood planks, so you’ll need at least 5 logs for the recipe if you do not have planks already on hand.

Conclusion

Now you know everything there is to know about how to make a lectern in Minecraft! With this, you’ll be able to read books and maybe even get a librarian for your village.