Storing And Preserving Books

[Pauvel]

Hi everyone.. I don't know if there's already a thread concerning this topic but I wanted to know the ways of preserving my novels. I usually keep them in polythene covers and keep them stacked in my small cupboard for books. But they are yellowing and some of them have acquired a musty smell.
So, if there are any librarians out there or if anyone has gone through the same thing, please comment with your suggestions. I think it may benefit others going through the same problem and it would be great if you could recommend methods that are easy to put into practice and products that are commonly available.

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

Interesting topic, Pauvel!

I can't say I have many tips on this - I just keep them on shelves ;) But never on the window sill or in direct light, or the colours go all faded.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

I buy dust cover plastic and polythene covers . I don' t keep in a closed cupboard or the likes , if there is any damp or mould on any book it only allows quicker spreading . Open shelves out of the sun or completely dry plastic containers are what I use. I've a mixture of antique books and modern collectables and have had no deterioration. (also if a book is already looking like it is sufffering from damp etc best to keep it away from the rest.

[Rob]

Haven't seen a thread like this before. Interesting one. I, um...don't. They just sit on my shelves. Is that bad?

[Pauvel]

Well, it's not damp where I keep them and I change the plastic covers they are in now and then(not frequently enough). But the pages still keep turning a brownish shade. I've read somewhere that the quality of the paper adds to this sometimes too. Any idea about that?

[Jim]

If you store them in boxes, don't put them in with the spine facing up. It places strain on the binding due to gravity. Bags Unlimited has plastic storage options for some individual items:
https://www.bagsunlimited.com/c-83-po...

[Pauvel]

@Rinn: I keep them all over the place but take care not to keep them in direct sunlight or where there's moisture..and no, definitely not on window sills :)

[Pauvel]

Thanks Jim. I'll check it out but I don't have Paypal so I will see if there's a local alternative :)

[Lancer, Warden of the Slums]

I would imagine the climate were you are might play into it. I'm smack dab in the middle of Canada and have keep books unprotected on bookshelves for over 10 years and have zero deterioration or discoloration. But it is also a dryer climate here so that might make a difference.

[Pauvel]

@ Sir Lancer: The city in India where I live is really hot but has high humidity too. So yeah, maybe that contributes to the ruining of my books too :)

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

My brother is in Delhi and his books are shocking condition but then again hes a corner folder so doesnt take great care eithet

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

*whispers*

I do that too...

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Sinner :-0
No lends of my books.
Definitely keep you away from my collectables if you find yourself in Ireland

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

Haha!

I only do it when there's no other option. But I always crack spines ;)

[Veronica]

Oh dear, dog earing pages...it hurts my heart.

As for protecting my books, hmmm, good question. I have never done anything special other than keep them on open shelves in my closet and bedroom. Haven't had any problems so far.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

That one hurt Rinn

[Pauvel]

:D haha

[Audrey, Queen of the Potato People]

There's an ingredient in most paper that eventually breaks down and causes yellowing. That's why scrapbooks advertise as "acid-free" -- they won't do that.

I'm in a very dry climate (average 8% humidity), which seems to be good for books.

[Shawnie]

Rinn wrote: "*whispers*

I do that too..."

Ahh!! Yes, that hurts. lol I never bend pages or crack the spine.

[Shawnie]

I should add, in all fairness, that I don't dust my bookshelves.... I know...

[Roger, Knight Radiant]

Rinn wrote: "Haha!

I only do it when there's no other option. But I always crack spines ;)"

I almost can't talk to you because of that last comment, god I cringe when I see someone do that.

[Kirsty, Jedi Master]

Great question Pauvel!

Interesting info on the V&A museum website about caring for books.

I'm a heathen, my books are on shelves with no protection. Though they are out of direct sunlight at least :)

[Kirsty, Jedi Master]

I never fold corners of pages down, I do try desperately not to crack spines, but sometimes it can't be helped :(

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

But how else are you supposed to read the stuff by the binding??

[Lancer, Warden of the Slums]

I obly fold corners In textbooks, but that because I know the likelihood that I'll ever read them again is very low. But I also highlight stuff in them so a folded corner is not a big deal. But the books I read for fun are my babies, especially if I bought them new. I do have uses books in far worse condition than those I bought new.

[Audrey, Queen of the Potato People]

My cousin lent me a paperback with explicit instructions to not crease the spine. I was very careful. I was finishing it when my dad picked it up and looked at it, so I repeated my cousin's warning: "Don't crease the spine." He said, "What, like this?" and opened the book all the way, creating a crease. My cousin was not happy, but it wasn't my fault.

[Brendan]

Raven Rebecca wrote: "Can I ask how anyone doesn't crack spines? Is that even possible with say, a paperback?

Is it like with comic books? I am well acquainted with how to handle even 'reader copies' of comic books bu..."

I am the opposite, I don't see how so many used books have cracked spines. Even when I am rough with a book I have never managed to crack one. I guess I readjust the book angle for every page and by doing that I unconsciously prevent it from happening. Like you pointed out its probably a comic thing I picked up without realizing.

[Greg]

They also make something called archival tissue that can be placed between the pages. I suspect though, that it would take a lot of time and money to use on a large scale, but if you have some really special books, it might be an option. Otherwise, the mylar bags they use for comic books would probably be a good option.

[Pauvel]

@Sir Lancer: I do the same with textbooks :D

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

Yeah I have a copy of Three Tragedies: Trojan Women, Medea , Phaedra by Seneca that I wrote an essay on at university - it has been highlighted and written all over, had to make my notes somewhere!

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

But also, I would never crack the spines on a borrowed book if they aren't already cracked :P I respect how other people treat their own books!

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

My better half did her Masters thesis on Seneca' s work Rinn. Never read her output though .

[Pauvel]

@Audrey: I would probably get get palpitations if somebody opened my novels all the way. Even when my best buddies do it, I cringe violently :)
One of my friends accidentally dropped an ink bottle on my Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire.This was around 8 years ago and it still enrages me :D mainly because it's Harry Potter

[Andreas]

How to not crack the spines? Easy: read ebooks :)

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

I just find I can't relax into an ebook as much as paper. It just doesn't feel right to me.

[Roger, Knight Radiant]

You just don't crank the book wide open, I've had a book for many years and read it several time and returned it to the store for a full refund (so I could by a nice annotated copy)

[Veronica]

I read some ebooks but mostly I stick to and prefer physical books as well. I just like the total experience of feeling the weight of the book, turning the pages, the sound of the pages as I turn them, the smell of the paper. For me, the so called convenience of ebooks doesn't come close to making up for the loss of that experience.

I've never cracked a spine either. Like Brendan, I simply adjust the angle of the book.

[Lancer, Warden of the Slums]

vote for angle adjustment. I usually have to read my book around my cat, who makes it his business to sit on my everytime I start reading and attempts to scratch his head on the covers. So I end up having to hold the book at weird angles to see past his head.

[Alex]

I finally got all my extra books out of cardboard boxes and off the floor for fear of silverfish and the like *shudders*. Had to stack them horizontal to fit, and with my shelves 10 feet in the air a solid 5 ft stack is a little disconcerting, but it works.

As for my stance on e-books, prefer book books, but do enjoy the convience (also don't have to worry about crushing it in my bag, stuffed with crepe)

[Greg]

Paul wrote: "I just find I can't relax into an ebook as much as paper. It just doesn't feel right to me."

That's how I feel too Paul. Maybe it's just a matter of getting used to it, but I've read a number of eBooks and haven't managed to fully get used to it yet.

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

Paul wrote: "I just find I can't relax into an ebook as much as paper. It just doesn't feel right to me."

Same here, Paul. That's why I still have so many e-books to review...

My sister once dropped a Harry Potter novel into a swimming pool when we were on holiday. Luckily we had two copies of the book, as we would argue over who got to read it first otherwise... but the book ended up about twice the size after - and it was one of the later ones, so thick to start with!

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Storage space is where it all gets fun,I have now come to the sad point where I occasionally donate some of the lesser loved books.
I,ve even put a few of the more valuable ones up for sale to get a little bonus wedding money , hopefully get around £4000 for 6 of my more collectable books and clear a little more shelf space while I'm at it. The ones I plan to sell I' ve stored in a sealed plastic box with each wrapped seperately

[Pauvel]

I don't think I'd be able to sell or give away any of my books, no matter how much I hate some of them. Yup, I hoard things. I think they also remind me of how the times used to be like around me when I read them.. Gooey thinking but still atleast a reason for not giving the books away :P

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

If i had the space I'd be with you on that :-)

[Alex]

Rinn wrote: My sister once dropped a Harry Potter novel into a swimming pool when we were on holiday..."

To someone who constantly fears water damage to books, that is a goddamm horror story.

I lost a page of my harry potter book on the school bus as a kid, to other rowdy kids.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Yeah I had someone in school who thought it was funny to rip a page out of my book. I assume they still have a book shaped indentation in there head .

[Greg]

Pauvel wrote: "I don't think I'd be able to sell or give away any of my books, no matter how much I hate some of them. Yup, I hoard things. I think they also remind me of how the times used to be like around me w..."

I hate giving away books too Pauvel, but like Paul, I have no choice on occasion. Every open space without other furniture has a bookshelf and all of them are full. I live in a two level rented apartment/condo (fairly small). Unfortunately housing is so insanely expensive in California that even with an engineering job, I don't see that changing soon.

[Veronica]

I haven't gotten rid of any of my books yet despite jam packed shelves in multiple rooms. If I die under a landslide of books, so be it.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

What a way to go ;-)

[Alex]

I finally sold some of my books from childhood/preteen a while back to half price books. I sold about 50 books and got about $5. Kinda disappointing, but I didn't really expect $100 for a worn copy of cliford the big red dog. least it cleared up shelf space