Table of Contents
Handling Books in General Collections
Books Are Perishable Commodities
Repair and Replacement Costs Thousands of Dollars
Proper Handling Prolongs the Life of a Library’s Collection
This Presentation Explains Good Handling Practices
You Will Understand Good Methods for Shelving
Learn How to Open, Use and Photocopy Without Damage
Book Construction Overview
Resistance to Wear and Tear Differs From Book to Book
Pages and Bindings are Easily Damaged
The Book Cover-Text Hinge: a Vulnerable Joint
Chemically Unstable Paper Compounds the Problem
Proper Shelving and Storage is Essential
Books Require Good Posture
Store Books Upright on Their Base
Books Should Not Lean or Rest on Their Fore Edges
Gravity Works to Pull Books Out of Shape
Always Use Bookends on Partially Full Shelves
Use Strong Bookends That Are Large Enough for the Job
Take Care to Avoid Pushing a Text Over or Into Bookends
Over Crowded Shelves Can Lead to Damage
Forcing a Book In or Out Can Break the Book Cloth
Broken Book Cloth Means Less Protection for the Text
Loosening or Detachment of the Cover Can Result
Keep Books Off the Floor
Piling or Stocking Books on the Floor Leads to Damage
Minimum Safe Distance From Floor is 4”
Proper Method for Removing a Book From the Shelf
Avoid Pulling by the End Cap (Top of Spine)
Damage Caused by Improper Use of the End Cap
Ease Other Books Back Before Grasping the Desired Book
Pull the Book From Shelf With Hand at the Spine’s Middle
Readjust Shelf Space So That Books Do Not Lean
Oversize Books Need Special Attention
Store Very Large, Oversize Books Flat
Take Care When Moving Through Oversize Book Area
Protruding Books Can Be Bumped Off Shelves
Reshelving: Create Space by Moving the Bookend First
Shift the Books Gently to Create Space
Readjust the Row and Bookend After Shelving
Removing Oversize Books From Flat Shelving
First Move Books Not Needed to Another Shelf or Table
Support Books Firmly When Removing or Reshelving
Vertical Shelving of Oversize Books
Dropping Books Can Cause Severe Damage
Carry Only What You Can Handle Safely
Use a Sturdy Book Truck for Moving Large Loads
Organize Books on the Truck as if Shelving in the Stacks
Load the Truck Evenly, and Support Books With Bookends
Daily Use Guidelines
Avoid Food, Drink, Smoke, Oil, Grime, Pens and Highlighters!
Support Both Book Cover Boards When Book is Open
Books That Do Not Open Flat Require a Gentle Touch
Avoid Forcing Books to Open
Enclosures and Excessive Bookmarking Distorts Binding
Avoid Thick Enclosures Placed Near the Book Hinge
Proper Method for Temporary Insertion of Enclosures
Remove Inserts as Soon as Possible
Permanent Enclosures Should Be Acid-Free
Acidic Enclosures Cause Chemical Reaction in Paper
Paper Clips Crimp Pages and Can Leave Rust
Photocopying Can Damage Materials
Do Not Force Tightly Bound Books Flat for Copying
Book Spines Can Crack and Sewn or Glued Pages Loosen
Flipping Open Books to Copy Many Pages Creates Strain
Weak, Brittle Paper Requires Extra Gentle Care
Support Covers and Pages While Copying
Do Not Attempt to Copy Oversize Books Without Help
Very Narrow Gutter Margins = Poor Candidate for Copying
Very Brittle Books Should be Microfilmed or Digitized
Damage to Books is Cumulative
Repeated Poor Handling Will Lead to Deterioration
New Books Quickly Become Worn
Worn Books Become Unusable and Require Costly Treatment
Proper Use by Each Individual Helps Preserve Every Book
Staff Members and Users Alike Can Help!
Produced by Library of Congress Staff
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