PRESERconVersATION

Handle with Care

Books deserve careful handling. They are stores of knowledge, records of the past, works of art and an important part of our heritage. Many are irreplaceable.

Unfortunately, books are not indestructible, and people are one of the most persistent causes of damage.

  • Wash your hands frequently. Hands should always be kept clean and dry while touching paper. Both skin oil and perspiration stain paper. Cotton gloves can be used, but might be too clumsy to handle fragile material.
  • Wet fingers should not be used to turn pages.
  • When working with any library materials provide yourself with plenty of clean work space and keep items on the table, not held in your hands. Rare or tightly bound books should be laid open on a book support available in the Petherick Reading Room.
  • Never lean on books or documents for a writing surface. Use pencil when you are working with library materials.
  • If essential notes, such as call numbers, need to be made in a book, use a soft lead pencil(e.g. HB or B).
  • If pages of books and other items must be marked use acid-free paper strips. Do not fold the corners of pages or use printed, coloured or adhesive paper, such as "post-it" self-adhesive notes.

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