Your collection of books can be one of your most prized possessions. However, books can be rather fragile, which makes it imperative for you to take the appropriate steps when storing these items. Failure to properly store your books can cause extensive damage to both the binding and the paper, but if you follow these tips, you may be able to avoid some of the more common sources of problems.
Avoid Wrapping Books In Plastic
If you ever need to place your books in storage, you may be tempted to wrap them in either plastic or bubble wrap. While this may seem like a good way of protecting the books, it can allow condensation to form on the interior. Once this condensation has formed, the plastic may prevent it from being able to quickly evaporate, which can cause further damage. To minimize this risk, you should always make sure to wrap the books in cloth to keep the safe and dry.
Keep Out Of Direct Sunlight
Moisture is not the only source of potential damage to your books because the sun can also be harmful. The intense rays of the sun can have a bleaching effect on the ink. It may also cause the paper and binding to become extremely brittle, which may drastically shorten the lifespan of your books.
For those that are unable to move their bookshelving away from windows, it is possible to reduce this damage by placing a UV reflective film on the glass. These films can easily be placed over the glass, and they will reflect much of the damaging rays. While these films can be highly effective, the adhesive will gradually weaken over time, which will require you to replace it. You help to extend the life of your film by avoiding the use of damp cloths or sprays to clean the glass because these substances can rapidly degrade the adhesive backing. Rather, you should only use a duster to gently remove dust and dirt.
Store The Books In An Upright Position
When you are placing your books on a shelf, you should make sure to always keep them in an upright position. Placing them horizontally can place stress on the binding, and this can be further exacerbated if other books are placed on top.
In addition to keeping the books upright, you should also make sure that they are properly supported on each side with either other books or book ends. This will help to prevent the binding from warping.
If you're looking for more information (or just more books for your collection) check out used bookstores like pioneerbook.com.
Share