Store, clean, and care for your library with these professional tricks. Show
To help guide you, we asked Sarah Melching, the Silber director of conservation at the Denver Art Museum and a member of the American Institute of Conversation's board of directors, to share her best tips for keeping books in tip-top shape. Avoid direct sunlight.Much like a valuable painting or an heirloom tapestry, one of the most important things you can do to preserve a book is monitor the environment in which it's stored. "Most books are primarily organic material," Melching explains. "Those kinds of components are really vulnerable to breaking down when environmental conditions are not maintained." And sunlight is one of the biggest disruptors, she says. Over time, it can not only cause discoloration, but it can also affect the temperature in the room—another important factor in extending the life of your most beloved books. Store books in a darker part of your home—maybe a north-facing room or one that's windows are shrouded in trees. Alternatively, you can pull shades or drapes closed during prime hours of daylight to help reduce exposure. Keep an eye on the temperature.To keep precious volumes away from sunlight and prying hands, many store their books in spaces like attics, basements, or garages, but these areas are generally among the worst places to stash anything worth preserving, says Melching. Why? Because they aren't typically climate-controlled, you risk exposing text to harsh conditions that can cause long-term damage. If you must use these areas, do what you can to stabilize both temperature and relative humidity. This might include adding a dehumidifier in particularly sticky locales; or, conversely, utilizing a humidifier in particularly dry areas. Consider air quality.If you live in an urban area with poor air quality, an abundance of nitrogen and sulfur components in the air can speed up deterioration, says Melching. There are some great storage boxes that can seal out these elements (more on that later). Alternatively, placing an air purifier in the room in which your books are stored can help improve the air quality and prolong shelf life. Don't grab a book from the top of the spine.If the spine is in good condition, most books can—and should—be stored upright, says Melching. When it comes time to grab the book you want off the shelf, most people go about it all wrong, she explains. Tugging books by the upper lip of their binding can compromise and ultimately damage the spine over time. Instead, push in the books on either side of the volume you want. Then, grasp the desired tome by either side of its spine, gently pulling towards you. Handle with gloves."The oils from your hands can also contribute to deterioration," says Melching, who explains that the experts use cotton gloves to handle valuable text in museums. "This provides a nice, clean layer between your skin and the object you're handling." If you don't have a suitable pair of gloves at your disposal, hand-washing with soap and water is the next best thing, she says. Skip the hand sanitizer, though: "There's some research that suggests hand sanitizer can transfer onto paper and cause it to yellow over time," says Melching. Make a digital copy.If you have a book that's already beginning to show signs of wear, do what you can to limit handling of any kind—even with gloved or washed hands. When paper begins to wear and break down, it can be extremely brittle and prone to breakage, says Melching. For documents you need or want access to—like, say, a family cookbook—work with someone who can carefully digitize the book or document in question, she says. If you're not quite sure where to find an expert who can help, contact a book conservator. You can find one in your area through the American Institute for Conservation. Use wrapping or a storage box.If preservation is your main goal, consider placing archival wrapping—similar to the plastic film on library copies—on books with jackets, particularly any first editions. This not only the book, but also the jacket, says Melching. A conservation-standard (also sometimes referred to as archival-quality) box can also help. These bins are manufactured to fit a vast array of book sizes and protect your most precious tomes from any unfavorable or unstable storage conditions. To ensure the highest level of protection, look for reputable brands, like Gaylord or Hollinger Metal Edge, says Melching. Just be mindful of how you store volumes inside these boxes. You don't want to find yourself digging through a box to find what you need, lest you risk unnecessary damage, says Melching. Download Article Download Article Books are truly intriguing objects. They link our physical selves to the reality stored within the book's pages. They serve as memories, as lessons, and so much more. They can contain stories meant for children to complicated methods of hacking. There are many ways to treat and care for your books, whether you have a collection of rare books or simply want to keep your existing books in a good condition. Learning how to properly handle, care, and store your books will help them remain in an ideal condition and preserve their memory, importance, and quality.
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Advertisement ReferencesAbout This ArticleArticle SummaryX If you like to keep your books in good condition, there are a few rules of thumb you should follow to avoid damaging them. Wash your hands before touching your books and keep them away from food and drink. Try not to open your books too wide when you’re reading them so you don’t crease the spines. You should also avoid using bulky bookmarks, since these can put extra pressure on the binding or glue and leave an indentation on the pages. Store your books out the way of direct sunlight so they don’t fade. You can also dust the exteriors regularly to keep them looking as good as new. For more tips, including how to get old and fragile books repaired, read on! Did this summary help you? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 101,784 times. Reader Success Stories
Did this article help you?How can book damage be prevented?Preventing Damages to Your Books. Consider Where You're Storing Them.. Keep Hands Clean.. Remove Food From the Situation.. Use Materials Safe for Books.. Invest in Book Cover Protectants.. What is the best way to preserve books?Preserving Books. Storage — Store books away from sources of heat and moisture. ... . Shelving — Store small- to medium-sized books upright (vertically). ... . Handling — Handle books gently to avoid separating covers and spine pieces from the binding. ... . Making Copies — Do not place books face down on a photocopier or scanner.. How can I protect my books for a long time?One of the best places to keep your books is on a bookshelf in the main area of your house. Here's the right way to store them. Do place a bookshelf near an interior wall with enough space to allow for some air circulation. Placing a shelf next to an exterior wall may cause the temperature to fluctuate too much.
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How to protect books from damage
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