How to care for your books, papers and photos
Art by James Wolstenholme via Hi-Fructose
By the Head of Conservation Treatment at the New York Public Library.
DO keep your books and documents in a stable, moderate environment. A good rule of thumb is that if you’re comfortable, so are your books. Room temperature, around 70 degrees, and a moderate relative humidity, around 50%, is best. Try not to store your books or paper in attics (too hot) or basements (too moist). Too much heat or moisture can speed up deterioration or encourage mold growth. (Note: Average humidity in Metro Manila today is 66%. Yikes.)
DO keep your books away from direct sunlight. Ultraviolet and visible light can speed up the deterioration of paper and cause fading or discoloration.
DO clean your books regularly by dusting with a clean, dry, soft cloth. Simply hold the book closed and wipe the covers and edges. Vacuuming with a soft brush can also safely remove loose dust.
DO shelve books upright, and support them with bookends so they won’t slump. If you have oversize or large, heavy volumes that don’t fit upright on the shelf, store them flat rather than on the spine or edges.
DON’T put your bookshelves along exterior walls, where they may experience temperature and humidity changes. Try to place them along interior walls.
DON’T use oil or leather dressing on your leather bindings. Contrary to previously held opinions, oil or leather dressing doesn’t keep leather supple, and it can actually cause staining and other deterioration as the oil or dressing ages. Wiping with a soft, dry, clean cloth is best.
DON’T repair damaged covers or torn paper with pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes, i.e. “Scotch” tape. Often repairs done with even the best of intentions can cause worse damage over time. (As we have learned, to our distress. We have also stopped covering books in plastic because the plastic shrinks, and in our climate it gets stuck onto the book cover.)
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
June 9th, 2013 at 11:38
‘Room temperature, around 70 degrees, and a moderate relative humidity, around 50%, is best.’
My books are f***ed.
I don’t plastic cover books anymore because I don’t have time. :( And some book covers are too pretty and soft to cover in plastic.
June 10th, 2013 at 11:37
Here’s a tip, there’s a chemical based dehumidifier that I’m sure is available in most supermarkets. It’s safe & replaceable at least every 3 months. Popular brand is “Thirsty hippo” but there are Japanese brands at Japan Home or similar shops.