How to care for books
People have warned that the Internet would one day replace books, but true book lovers know that nothing could ever replace the cozy feeling of having a book in your hand. Whether you’re a book collector or just an avid reader, you'll want to take care of your books so they can last you for many years to come.
Note how books are stored in public libraries. They are placed vertically on shelves, not packed too tightly, with bookends supporting each row. How does your home collection stack up?
The care and reading of books
Books, by their very nature, encourage abuse. They are, after all, designed to be handled. The ideal reading position for your book is cradled in your lap. But how many of us read that way? Adjusting your reading habits can help prolong the life of your book.
Wash your hands before reading. Open the book only as far as necessary. Your reading area should be safely away from food and drink. Use only a pencil for marking in books. Support the covers while reading. Avoid stuffing the book with letters, newspaper clippings, and the like.
If you make a photocopy of a page, use a copy machine that allows one side of the book to hang over the edge.
How to store books
The ideal spot for your prized books is a bookcase enclosed in glass in a temperature and humidity controlled room out of the direct sunlight and away from outside walls. Not everyone can provide the ideal conditions. Here’s the next-best thing.
Store books upright on a finished bookshelf. (Untreated wood can cause damage.) Finish with acrylic or vinyl-acrylic latex paint. Enamel baked steel shelving is even better. Leave book jackets on for additional protection. Normal sized books should be placed vertically. You may wish to lay extra large books down. But do not pile up several books.
When removing books from the shelves, grasp by the spine, not by the top (the head cap). You may have to push the adjoining books back to get a good grip.
Bookworms and other pests
Books are made of a variety of materials, including wood, paper, cloth, ink, and glue. These materials are a drawing card for a number of pests. Watch for signs of moths, silverfish, and rodents. Prevention is the best strategy. Keep the vicinity around your books clean.
Books should be kept free of dust. Use a dry cloth or a soft brush—never anything damp. Dust away from the spine. Dust and grit that falls inside the spine cannot be removed. You may clean books with a vacuum, but minimize the suction.
Other enemies
Mold is one of the biggest destroyers of books. That’s why it’s important to avoid humid environments. The opposite problem can also harm your books. If it’s too dry, the book will become brittle and pages and cover will crumble easily.
Too much light of any kind—sunlight or artificial—is damaging to books. Dyes in the cover will either fade, discolor, or darken. If a larger book is shelved next to a smaller one, the result will be a patch of the original color the size of the smaller book.
Mending books
Sometimes the unthinkable happens and a page is torn. Or the book comes loose from its binding. Or your dog chews the cover. Not a big problem if you’re just going to turn the book in at the local used book store. But if you want to preserve the book in your collection, you will need to take action.
Avoid using readily-available adhesive tapes. These will discolor with time and can cause the pages to crinkle. Your library can tell you where to find supplies developed especially for book repair. Use an archival quality tape for minor page repairs. There are also glues that can be used to affix the book to its cover. Library glues are flexible when dry, so the book will open as it should. They are also very expensive.
Disasters
Floods, fire, and storm damage can destroy a book collection. Major disasters will require the services of a book conservator.
Probably the most common mishap is that the book becomes wet. It can be dried with a minimum of warping. Stand the book up and spread the pages out. Allow it to air dry. A fan in the room will speed up the process. Make sure the fan is not directed at the book.
Collectors
Book collectors have numerous other things to consider besides normal book care. The accumulation of years will have an effect on books, even if they have been well preserved. Older book covers were generally made of leather. At one time, book owners were advised to apply a leather treatment to the covers. That advice is not generally heeded today.
Books in poor condition need the attentions of a conservator. The best storage solution is a custom made box. Books needing repair should be packaged carefully for delivery to an expert. Tie the book in both directions with a soft, flat ribbon. Do not use string or rubber bands, as these will cause more damage.
The Library of Congress has information on preserving old volumes. The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation (FAIC) can also direct you to a professional.
Conclusion
The bottom line: books are for your enjoyment. Now you know how to care for books. That doesn’t mean you can’t curl up in front of the fireplace with the latest from your favorite author. Just know that you won’t be selling it on eBay and retiring on the profits.
