Minecraft wiki entry for Before_1.8, associated text: Enchantments can be raised to their maximum power, which can be above the table's range.
Shears can receive Silk Touch, allowing them to gather cobwebs.
Axes can receive some of the sword enchantments: Sharpness, Smite, or Bane of Arthropods.
Even before version 1.7.2, a book can be used to apply Unbreaking to almost any item with durability. As of version 1.7.2, the enchanting table can apply Unbreaking to more items, but a few of the minor tools still require use of a book.