does anyone know if there is a use for scrap metal or pre-war books in New Vegas?

Dude, word. The second I started playing every last book and scrap metal I came across I picked up. It wasn't until about 5 hours in that I realized that I didn't know if they were even useful in this game.

Pre-war books also seem to be mostly worthless...

I haven't played it yet, but I would guess that since they're in the game at all, there's bound to be someone around that will trade them for caps or something.

You have to use scrap metal to reactivate ED-E in Primm. 

you can always take it all and find a place to stash it.
I think Doc's house might be a good place to stash things, but I'm not 100% certain.  Maybe 75%.  I placed some items in a footlocker and fast traveled to primm and back and did some waiting and they were still there afterward.   Would be nice to get someone else to try that as well.

You can melt scrap metal down for lead to re-load at benches. Not sure about books, but there seem t o be more of them here than fallout 3.