Books are fascinating objects.Our physical selves are linked to reality in the book's pages.They serve as more than just memories.They can be used to teach children how to hack.Whether you have a collection of rare books or just want to keep your existing books in a good condition, there are many ways to treat and care for your books.Learning how to properly handle, care, and store your books will help them remain in an ideal condition.
Step 1: Do not handle books with unwashed hands.
Handling your books in a sanitary manner will help ensure minimal wear and tear.It's a good idea to wash your hands before handling a book and not to have any liquids or food near it.Do not use saliva to turn pages.Instead of using a sponge, use it.If you are handling a fragile book, use cotton gloves.
Step 2: Large or bulky bookmarks can be removed.
The binding or glue in the spine of the book can be stressed by the large bookmarks.If you want to reduce the chance of pages being ripped, torn, or damaged while reading, remove bulky bookmarks.Use a piece of thread or silk ribbon as a bookmark to avoid damage.Place the bookmark in an acid-free envelope next to the book or inside an insert if you want to keep it.The corners of pages can cause long-term damage if they are folded.
Step 3: Don't damage the binding.
Both paperback and hardback books are bound with a combination of the two.The bigger the book, the more stress you are putting on it.New hardbacks are prone to cracking, so use caution when opening them.
Step 4: Carefully turn pages.
Over time, pages can become brittle and fragile.Caution should be used when turning pages in order to avoid tears,wrinkles, andpillows.
Step 5: Try to hold the book with two hands.
The book's binding and pages are not being stressed if you use two hands while reading.If you can't hold a book with two hands, lay it on a table or cradle it in your lap.Don't bend paperback covers while reading.It can be hard to get them to return to their original shape.If you want to preserve your book, invest in reading copies.
Step 6: Send books that are rare and fragile.
Sending a damaged book to a specialist is the best way to get it fixed.Historic preservation, binding and material repair are just some of the specializations book Conservators can have.If you want to get a consultation with a local book preservationist, you should consult national organizations like the Regional Alliance for Preservation.
Step 7: Shelve books are upright.
If you want to avoid warping, structural damage, and cracking, avoid shelving books too tightly or leaning against one another.To avoid stressing the spine, place books of similar height and length next to each other.A book flat is an alternative to upright shelving.It's a good idea to put as little weight on top of a book as possible.Remove a book from a shelf if you want to avoid damaging the head and foot of the spine.
Step 8: In a cool area, keep books out of the sun.
To prolong the book's quality, place your books in a controlled climate.The book's binding, structure, and page quality can be affected by a number of factors.Your books can be affected by humidity.If you live in a humid environment, you can simply wipe the mold with a dry cloth and leave the book in the sun for 30 minutes.Sun can cause the cover to fade, so be careful not to leave it longer.Bring a rare or fragile book to a book specialist.
Step 9: Keep your books clean.
Regular cleaning of your books will increase the quality of their storage and prevent natural wear and tear.Dusting your books will help with aging.Dust should not settle behind the spine when you dust your books.Don't put books in plastic bags.Plastic can cause mold or warping and books need to breathe.Wrap the book in acid-free cloth or buy a book storage box.