SERVICES
Conservation
Library
Binding
Shelf
Preparation
Preventative
Care
Book Damage Gallery
Training
Resources
Book Request Form
Digital Project Support
Selection for Binding
Book Handling Guidelines
|
BOOK HANDLING GUIDELINES
Introduction | Book
Handling Guidelines | Packing and Moving
Books
Identifying Physical Damage in Books
Introduction
The
books in the MIT Libraries have been collected
for the benefit of present and future members
of the MIT community, and represent a great
intellectual and monetary investment. Thus,
the preservation of Library materials is
a concern of the entire library staff. If
they are handled carefully, these printed
resources will remain accessible for years
to come. As we have all seen, the damage
to any given book is cumulative. Repeated
incorrect handling and storage of a book can
transform a new book into a worn one that
may require costly repair, rebinding, or replacement.
The following guidelines are meant to summarize correct book handling
behaviors in typical library work situations, and serve as a resource
when training new staff and student workers.
For additional information on issues related to book handling,
or the preservation of library materials in general, please contact
Ann Marie Willer, Preservation Services Librarian, at 617-253-5692.
BOOK HANDLING GUIDELINES
Brittle Materials
- Take your time turning the pages, as they may shatter on the edge or break along the spine area
- Avoid clipping slips or notes to the text pages
Cleanliness
- Wash hands regularly
- Keep food and drink away from library materials
Damaged Books
- If a book is wet, or shows signs of active mold growth or insect infestation, please contact Preservation Services immediately at 3-5282 or 3-5692.
- With all other types of damage, please set the volume aside for circulation or processing staff to forward to Preservation Services. View the online tutorial “Identifying Book Damage” at http://libstaff.mit.edu/preservation/traininghome.html.
- Please do not attempt to repair library materials, as this may inadvertently harm rather than fix the item. All repairs are done by Preservation Services employees trained in library conservation.
Disaster Response
Erasing
- Use a soft vinyl eraser, either a Magic Rub or Staedtler, to erase pencil marks
Holding Books
- To hold a book open, use a flexible weight bag instead of a heavy, stiff object like a tape dispenser
- Support covers when the volume is open; use book supports if necessary
- Only open books as far as they will naturally open - do not force
Sending Notes
- Place sticky notes only on library paperwork, never on the item.
- If you must use a paperclip on a book, “pad” it with a piece of scrap paper.
Stamping
- Make the stamped image as even and neat as possible
Shelving
Removing Books from Shelves
- Push in the books on either side of the one you want, and gently pull your selection out by grasping its sides near the spine
Shelving
- When possible, leave a small amount of space between books so that they can be easily removed
- Keep the books upright rather than leaning, using bookends when necessary
- Place books on their spines if they are too tall to fit upright on the shelf
- Remove place markers left in books such as paper slips, paperclips, and Post-it™ notes
- Do not put books on the floor
Moving Books
Book Drops/Returns
- Place books carefully in the slot or tray
- Empty often
- Close book covers first and grasp the entire book when removing it from the container
Book Trucks
- Shelve ordinary size books upright
- Place books on their spines if they are too tall to fit upright on the shelf
- Lay large folio-sized volumes flat
- Keep books within the edges of the truck
- Load the truck so that the center of gravity remains low – this makes the truck more stable when in motion
Mailing Internally
- Place loose sheets and thin books into an interdepartmental envelope. Do not use rubber bands or paperclips.
- Tie books that have loose boards or spines with cotton tying tape. See http://libstaff.mit.edu/preservation/binderyknot.html for instructions on tying a bindery knot.
Non-Book Materials
Maps and Oversize Materials
- Clear adequate space
- Support the item fully on the work surface
- Use two people to flip or move items when necessary
Microforms, Slides, and Optical Discs (DVDs, CDs)
- Handle at the edges to avoid fingerprints – thin cotton gloves are available from Preservation Services
- Place on dust- and grit-free surfaces
- Ensure that the equipment used to view these items is clean and well-maintained
Packing and Moving Books
Library staff may also be responsible for packing and moving collections
to storage.
MIT
Storage Guidelines and Procedures
return to top
|
|
