7 Tips for Taking Care of the Books in Your Personal Library

April 08, 2020

Your Home Library is Important 

Do you have a weekly cleaning routine where you clean floors, and dust (ugg!), organize cupboards and closets and wash 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.

Why Have A Home Library?

Although many homeowners already have a study, having a home library can be a valuable way to put all your books in one place. This will ensure they will be safe and organized. In light of this, positioning and designing your home library are crucial if you are expanding an existing one. 

A home library is an excellent idea if you have kids or grandchildren. Children are encouraged to read by having a home library, which also helps their rapid development. My son was a reader as a child with a strong vocabulary, but my Grandpuppies, not so much. They are chewers but will cuddle when I'm reading as long as I'm petting them simultaneously. 

Look at the design of your home library with these tips in mind.

7 Book Care Tips 

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 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.

Add Your Books To your Dusting Routine 

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. 

Shelve Your Books Upright

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.

Never Store Your Books in Direct Sun

Avoid direct and indirect light when shelving your favorite books to avoid sun fade and damage to the bindings, paper, and leather. Remember to turn off the lights in the room; you store your books as much as possible.

Wrap Older Books

It is recommended to use an acid-free, UV-resistant plastic book cover to protect the surface. 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. 

Store Books Away from Heat Sources

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.

Handle with Care

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.

Wash your Hands

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.

The Whole Family Approach

It is our responsibility to preserve books for future generations. If you're a parent who loves books and reading, your children need to learn to love and take care of books. Children learn by watching and doing and will follow your lead in your love of books.

Resources for Parents or Grandparents

 A love of books is one of the greatest gifts you can give a 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 teach the littles to care and appreciate books.

Enjoy the rest of your day, and spend some time reading! You will be better for it.

Please reply in the comments if you have any questions or additional tips.

Pam of Reading Vintage

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