Blog
Caring for an older book
Old books need gentle handling. Keep them upright on the shelf, out of direct sun, and away from damp rooms where pages can foxing or warp.Dust with a soft dry cloth. Never use tape on a torn page, a book repair shop can help with that properly.
If a cover feels loose, store the book flat rather than standing. A little care now means it lasts for years.
Everyday Care
Store books upright with enough support that they do not lean, since leaning strains the spine over time. Leave a little room on the shelf so you never have to tug a book free, that is what tears headbands and covers.
A steady temperature matters too. A shelf above a heater or in a hot window dries out glue and leather faster than ordinary reading ever will. For cloth and leather covers, a wipe with a dry cloth is all they need, skip the oils and polish.
Common Repairs
Brown speckling on old pages, called foxing, is common and mostly harmless, and will not spread if the book stays dry. Silverfish are the real risk, so keep books off the floor and check behind the shelf now and then. A cedar block at the end of a row keeps pests away without any smell on the books.
If you are not sure how far gone a book is, bring it in. We look over the cover, spine and pages before telling you whether it is worth repairing or simply reading as is. Some damage is only skin deep and a clean sorts it out, other books have done their job and are best enjoyed just as they are.
71 Pilgrim Avenue
Chevy Chase,
MD 20815
