Keeping your antique books in tip top condition can be a challenge. As these books are often made from natural materials such as cloth, wood and leather, they’re prone to deterioration. Unfortunately, these materials, while beautiful, make books susceptible to degradation from water, strong light and heavy dust exposure. But don’t worry – with just a few simple steps and a little bit of TLC (that’s Tender Library Care) your beautiful book collection will last many more years. After all, they’ve made it this far already!

Consider the environment your books are kept in

Where you keep your books will have a lot to do with how long they’ll last. Keep your collection out of =f direct sunlight and away from any moisture. Keeping books in a basement or loft is not advised; they need a light, airy space to prevent mould or drying out.

Think about shelving and spacing

f you plan on displaying old or antique books, choose glass or baked enamel shelves over wooden shelving. Wood that hasn’t been properly sealed with an epoxy finish can transfer damaging acids to the paper and bindings of old books. When you’re setting up your collection, avoid overcrowding. Books that are crammed together will rub against one another as you remove and replace them, damaging the covers and possibly cracking the spines. Companion books sharing a shelf together should keep one another upright but allow for easy access and good air flow.

Chosen tall books? Lay them flat

With large books, that’s 18″ or taller, you must consider the delicate bindings. Keep them flat on a stable surface, rather than upright – this will relieve excess weight placed on the bindings and also help keep the pages from warping. If you’re stacking large books on top of one another, always remove the books on top before accessing the ones underneath.

Let there be light… But not too much! 

You don’t want to keep your beautiful book collection locked away in a cupboard. But strong sunlight can damage antique books – they’re sensitive old souls – so try to maintain light levels at a minimum. To keep printed material vibrant, you can try placing ultraviolet filters on windows and fluorescent fixtures. Or, you can just shift your books away from direct, all-day streams of sunlight.

Never DIY repair

Never attempt to repair book pages with glue or tape, and don’t treat leather bindings with oil. If a book of yours is in need of a repair, it’s best to consult a professional. We can offer help and advice, so feel free to give us a call on 01243 931 778.