PRESERVATION ADVICE ON CARE OF LIBRARY MATERIALS

OTHER BOOK HANDLING TIPS

1. The best way to mark a place in a book is with a bookmark, preferably made of acid-free paper. Tree leaves, paper clips, and pencils are no substitutes. Placing an open book face down cracks the binding. Turning down a corner, or dog-earing, permanently creases the page and weakens it.

2. Photocopying is usually traumatic for the book because most copying machines are designed for a single sheet feed rather than bound materials. Don't press down hard on the spine while copying; sometimes the inner margin is just too small to allow for all the text to be copied. Help library users understand the limitations of photocopiers.

3. Be alert for signs of mold, mildew, and insect damage. If you discover moldy material, isolate it in a plastic bag, and notify the Preservation Office or Book Repair immediately. If you find what appears to be active insect damage, place the item in a plastic bag also. Either of these two problems, if allowed to spread, could potentially cause a disaster.

4. If you are using books in an exhibit or display case, think about how they will be supported. Easy-to-construct book cradles and polyester strips will hold a book open without damaging the binding. Long term exhibits are particularly hard on books if they are kept in one position for the whole time. Take into account the amount of light and heat in the exhibit area. Advice on exhibiting is available from the Preservation Office.