Are you in the middle of your cleaning routine, sorting through cupboards, closets, washing windows?
Don't forget about your extensive library of old books; they also need love and care. The authors have put their heart, mind, and soul into writing it. To enjoy the many benefits of a well-stocked personal library for years to come, we need to add our books to our cleaning routine.
To preserve the books the library lends to the public, librarians follow expert methods to support the long-term protection of the books in their care. Your home library might not meet the rigorous standards of libraries, but here are some tips for caring for the books you love, just like the professionals do. So whether the books on your shelves are first editions or book club favorites to enjoy for years, follow these tips to maintain the books on your bookshelf.
Dusting the books on your library shelves will protect them from musty smells and mildew. Use a fresh cloth just for your books. Don't use the same cleaning cloth that you use on the shelves when dusting. A very gentle brush can be used to eliminate dust from delicate books.
Shelving upright and supporting them with bookends, they won't slump or become misshapen. This practice will help keep the binding firm. Large or oversized volumes can be safely stored flat.
When shelving your favorite books to avoid sun fade, damage to the bindings, paper, and leather, avoid direct and indirect light. Remember to turn off the lights in the room; you store your books as much as possible.
It is recommended to use an acid-free, UV-resistant plastic book cover to protect the cover. Book jacket covers are available in a wide variety of styles. However, the specific method you choose often boils down to personal preference. This article, The Book Doctor is In has more helpful information to help you protect your books.
Furnace vents and sunny windows are not the ideal locations for your shelves of books. In addition, high temperatures can crack leather spines and make book glue fragile.
Remove books from shelves by gripping over the spine near the center. Don't "hook" the upper spine with your finger; this creates pressure, and damage, to the spine.
Handle and read your books with clean, dry hands. Oils and dirt on your hands can stain and destroy the bindings and pages of books you are reading.
It is our responsibility to preserve books for future generations. If you're a parent who loves books and reading, our children need to learn to love and take care of books. Children learn by watching doing and will follow your lead in your love of books.
A love of books is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child; developing these habits to take care of and treasure books can be part of that. Any book that helps a child form a habit of reading and make reading one of his needs is good for them.
Here is an excellent article from Lessons by Sandy, Teaching Book Care. Great activities to teaching the littles to care and appreciate books.
The words antique, vintage, and retro are often used when shopping at Antique Festivals, Antique stores, and flea markets. Learning what these terms mean can only help you in the bargaining process. Knowledge can help you add an elusive piece to your shelves at a fair price.
Have you ever come across an old book at a garage sale and wondered how much it was worth? There are many ways to find the value of an old book. You will find the information here valuable.
Reading a book allows us to transport ourselves to another world, learn new things, and escape reality. Now your passion for books and reading can help the environment.
Happy Reading,
Pam of Reading Vintage
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We love to read and can spend all day in our tiny bookish worlds as bookworms. We, the readers, know what we like and dislike. Everyone has their own pet peeves. These are a few bookish pet peeves of mine! I can't believe I have eleven pet peeves. Do you agree they have an impact on our reading enjoyment! Do you have any literary pet peeves? Do we have any pet peeves in common?
