Every new block added to Minecraft serves a purpose, but some are more unique than others. The Chiseled Bookshelf is a new block that will presumably be added in the next major update for Minecraft, but players using the experimental features of the current update already have access to this block. Crafting Chiseled Bookshelves is easy, they are functional, and they have some pretty interesting applications with Redstone creations. Essentially, a Chiseled Bookshelf is a bookshelf that players can actually use to store books as opposed to the regular bookshelf which is simply crafted using books.
Chiseled Bookshelves are a new block that will be introduced in Minecraft update 1.20, but they are available now as part of the "Next Major Update" experimental toggle. In order to activate this, players must be updated to the most current version of the game (at the time of writing, that's 1.19.51), select a world, and use the edit button.
Minecraft - How to Get Chiseled Bookshelves
Acquiring Chiseled Bookshelves is actually very easy and can be done as soon as players load up the game. This item cannot be found naturally, but it can be crafted by using six wooden planks and three wooden slabs in a crafting table. Arrange the items so that the top row contains three planks, the middle row is three slabs, and the bottom row is three more planks as shown in the picture above. This can be done with any type of wood, but the Chiseled Bookshelf will always look the same no matter which of Minecraft's many wood types is used.
Minecraft - How to Use Chiseled Bookshelves
Using Chiseled Bookshelves is simple, just right click it while holding a book, book and quill, written book, or enchanted book. This will cause the book to take up one of six slots on the Chiseled Bookshelf. It can then be taken out of the bookshelf by right clicking it again. What makes the Chiseled Bookshelf so special is that it actually emits a redstone signal when a comparator is near it based on how many books it holds. This means creative Minecraft players can make secret doors open and close by simply removing a book from a bookshelf.
Unfortunately, Chiseled Bookshelves don't have any effect on Enchanting Tables at the moment, so players will need to stick with regular Bookshelves if they want to increase the levels of their enchantments in Minecraft. That said, this is still an experimental feature, so that is something that could change when Minecraft 1.20 releases.
Minecraft is available now on Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.