Everyone who loves books wants those books to last so that they and others can continue to enjoy and learn from what the book has to offer. Good thing they feel that way, too, because much of human knowledge has come from books that have been cared for and passed down for hundreds and hundreds of years. Good book care for book-collectors means protection and preservation.
For some, the desire to protect and preserve a book stems from sheer love of history, or from the emotional attachment of receiving the book from a loved one, or some other bond. for others, the care of the books is an additional element to ensure that the book does not lose its value. The difference between a collectible book in good condition and a collectible book in fair condition can be a substantial amount of money.
You are reading: How to protect books
Whatever the reason, it makes sense to practice good book care, and it’s not a difficult or expensive thing to do. In fact, the most important things you can do to protect and preserve your books are things that don’t cost anything.
keep books out of direct sunlight
Ultraviolet rays from sunlight cause a chemical breakdown in the paper. (The print page bookstore installed a special film on their windows to reduce ultraviolet rays.) most fluorescent tubes filter ultraviolet rays and, although they are weaker, they can have the same effect. Sunlight also fades bindings and dust jackets, to the point that “sunbathing” is a common flaw cited in old book catalogues. illuminate the areas where you keep your books with incandescent bulbs, no brighter than necessary and not pointed directly at your books.
keep books away from water
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don’t store books where a broken water line or hot water heater could damage them. Also be careful not to store books in high humidity areas, such as damp basements, or even against the inside of an exterior wall. even books stored in sealed boxes in a damp basement can develop mold. (Stagnant air contributes to mold growth.) Storing books in areas with high humidity is a surefire recipe for mold and a good way to attract insects that will feast on your books.
keep books away from extreme temperatures
The general rule of thumb is to keep your books in a place where you feel comfortable. Both heat and cold can damage books, so garages, storage sheds, attics, and basements are often poor places to store books.
shelving and storing books correctly
Arrange the books so they are standing upright, not on top of each other. do not allow books to rest on a shelf, as this will damage their spines. don’t pack the books too tightly or too loosely. this can also damage them. place books of similar size side by side. a tall book placed next to a short book can cause the tall book to warp. many book collectors use glass door shelves for their prized books. when removing a book from a shelf, do not pull it from the top of the spine. instead, push the books on either side and remove the book midway down the spine. store books in a cool, dry, dark place. store them on a flat surface, but not on the floor. the ideal is to place the books upright in the storage box. Always pack stacks of books with the leading edges toward the sides of the box so that if the load shifts, the “spine-to-spine” configuration will protect them from damage. do not place flat books on top of upright ones. if you put the books flat in a box, make sure they are lined up. stack books of similar size together. Please note that most cartons are made from craft paper which will acidify over time. buy acid-free storage boxes or consider swapping out your cardboard storage boxes from time to time. never store books spine up or front edge up. in the former case, you are putting pressure on the binding which can cause the text block to separate from the cover, and in the latter case, it will cause the spine to bend or bow.
do not store articles in books
Newspaper clippings are often found in books and invariably leave an obscured “overprint”. newsprint is acidic and can gradually destroy a book. clippings, letters, pictures, and flowers should be stored outside of books. do not use paper clips to mark pages. paper clips will rust or wrinkle the pages.
handle books with care
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Do not place an open book on a flat surface, either with the pages facing up or facing down. this can damage the hinges of the book. do not eat or drink while handling a book. keep hands clean and dry. do not use ribbon or elastic bands on books. don’t fold down the corner of a page to mark its place; use a marker. do not write in books, but if necessary, use a soft pencil.
dust off your books
Books that are dirty are particularly vulnerable to mold. the dust itself can cause books to deteriorate. First remove the dust jacket from the book. then use a clean, dry shaving brush, feather duster, or soft brush to dust a book, moving the brush from the spine out. dust off all sides of a book. you can also vacuum books. Vacuum one book at a time, holding it firmly in the middle of the spine.
use dust jacket protectors
clear mylar book jacket protectors are the best and most affordable way to protect your books and ensure they are well cared for. They are available from Gaylord Brothers, Brodart, The Library Store, and other library supply companies. we’ll be happy to show you how to put them on.
do not attempt to restore leather bindings
Once upon a time, leather books were treated with a leather dressing. however, putting oil or a leather dressing on a leather-bound book can have an adverse effect. The Library of Congress says that the benefits of leather dressings are primarily cosmetic and that the use of a leather dressing by someone without professional experience does more harm than good. dressings can cause the leather to dry out over time, can darken the leather and cause it to become stiff. the best way to deal with this problem is to not let it happen in the first place. do not store leather books in environments with extremely low humidity, such as an area above a radiator.
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