When most folks start out with book collecting, it is an absolute joy. A trip to a used bookstore can turn into a full afternoon of hunting for just the right edition to add to your bookshelves. But accidents do happen and collections can be ruined. Sometimes, it is self inflicted damage that we do because we didn’t realize our actions were damaging our collections. Here is a quick guide to properly store your books so they can be enjoyed for generations to come. Most of these tips are cost-free and can be conformed to in a matter of minutes.
The first tip is to store your books out of direct sunlight, but not in a plastic storage container that is sealed or in an area where they won’t get fresh air. By keeping your books out of direct sunlight, you stop it from fading and appearing more worn. But if you put them in a cramped space that is sealed, deterioration can happen, as well. As trite as it sounds, your books really are in good shape on a book shelf, but you want to make sure the bookshelf is not against an outside facing wall. The temperature changes, especially in the winter, which the books will be exposed to can damage them, as well.
When you are looking for the perfect bookcase for your books, you have a lot of flexibility. The only thing that really matters for the books’ sake is that the surface you lay them on is flat and sturdy. Be careful you do not overload a shelf. A collapsing bookshelf is not good for your collection, even if you are collecting tattered Anne Rice paperbacks. If you have chosen a wooden bookshelf, make sure that the wood is sealed. If not, the boards can release vapors that can harm the pages. Make sure the wood used in your bookshelf is either acid-free or is sealed properly to prevent any seepage. Stand the books on your shelves vertically, side by side, just like you always have and make sure books of like sizes are next to each other. Who knew mom knew exactly how to store books in the most conservative way possible?
You can use bookends to keep all of your books standing, but make sure you follow the same guidelines for picking out bookends as you did with your bookcase. If you choose metal book ends make sure they aren’t made of a metal that can corrode. The last thing you want to find on your special copy of The Big Chill is copper corrosion.
If your books are overflowing their bookcase, do not resort to storing them in an attic or a basement, even if you have them sealed. The temperature changes in those locations is much too extreme and your books will be damaged. You also have to watch for humidity, which makes storing books in Phoenix a bit easier than storing them in Seattle. And while it may be impossible to know where they are exactly, you probably do not want to store your books underneath where your water pipes are located. The last thing any of us want is to lose our collection because of a random burst pipe. Store something much less useful in that spot, like your television.
If you have a few tomes that are of special significance or are especially valuable, there are special boxes that you can buy to store them in that are water-tight and acid-free. You can even get the boxes custom made so that they fit your particular books perfectly. These boxes do tend to be a bit pricy however, so be aware of that before going in.
Storing your books properly might be one of the single most important parts of successful book collecting. Every collector dreams one day of handing over a lifetimes’ worth of books to their children so they can be explored and enjoyed by a whole new generation. With proper care and a heavy dose of common sense, you can make that happen and insure that your books will be around long after we have all moved on to that big used bookstore in the sky.
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