Preserving Columbia’s Library Materials

Part 3

What this presentation covers

Part 1: Why materials deteriorate.

Part 2: Shelving materials carefully.

Part 3: Handling materials carefully.

Part 4: Identifying and preventing damage.

Keep books free of:

• miscellaneous objects

• papers

• post-it notes

• paperclips

• rubberbands

Remove extraneous objects.

• Put only necessary papers in books during processing.

• Don’t put anything heavy on a book with a lot of papers in it.

• The book may split or a cover may break off.

Paper can cause damage.

• Remove all paper when processing is completed.

• Acidic old paper turns yellow and can stain the book.

Avoid paperclips and post-its.

• During processing, insert papers into the book with the top edge sticking out.

• Don’t use paper clips, scotch tape, or post-its.

Post-it notes are bad news.

Post-it notes

• Can tear fragile paper.

• Can pull the type off the page.

• Leave their stickiness on the paper to collect dirt.

• NEVER put Post-It notes on books, and be careful removing them if you find them.

Paperclips are trouble.

Paperclips

• Should NEVER be used on books.

• Can rust and stain paper.

• Can tear the pages.

• If you find any, remove them carefully.

Use red or white cotton string

• To hold books together, or to keep papers with them.

• Tie bows, NOT knots.

• Or put the item in a campus envelope.

Avoid rubberbands.• New ones can tear paper and bindings.

• Old ones stick to paper and stain it.

Use book snakes to hold books open.

Not miscellaneous objects that can cause dirt or damage.

More dangers to books

Photocopying

Stamping books

Eating and drinking

Photocopying

Pressing down too hard can cause the spine to break.

Photocopying

Pages can be damaged by carelessness.

Photocopying

Brittle pages can be completely destroyed.

Do it right.

Press gently on spines or use edge copiers to make images when margins are tight.

More dangers to books

Photocopying

Stamping books

Eating and drinking

Date due slips The pressure of stamping pushes on the cover and encourages

the hinges

to tear and

finally

break.

Date due slips

Always put the date due slip on the textblock side of the book, not the cover side, so that the textblock can absorb the pressure.

Date due slips

If the date due slip is already on the cover side, put the book down so that the cover is flat on the counter while you stamp. Do the same when wanding barcodes.

More dangers to books

Photocopying

Stamping books

Eating and drinking

Food and drink are dangerous.

Food attracts mice.

Mice chewed this drawing.

Food attracts insects.

Insects eat books and paper.

Cleanliness

• Extremely important in preventing mice and insects.

• If you see insects or mice in the stacks, tell your supervisor.

• If you find insects in a book, try to wrap the book up with the insect inside and give it to Preservation.

Other media

Cleanliness and careful handling are also important for other media in the library.

Microfilm and microfiche

• Cleanliness is important.

• Oil from fingers can eventually destroy the images.

• Wear white cotton gloves when handling film.

• Handle rolls of film only by the edges, and microfiche by the headers.

Handle microfilm and microfiche with gloves.

Be careful when using film readers.

Microfilm and microfiche readers

• Keep the equipment clean and well maintained.

• Dirt on the lenses can scratch film, and if the equipment is operating poorly it can cause tears

Videos, CDs, etc.

• Keep them away from dirt, water, and magnetic fields.

• Keep equipment clean and working well.

Videos, CDs, etc.Handle all kinds of discs carefully by the edges.

Slide show continues.

Go on to Part 4: Identifying and preventing

damage.

If you have questions, send email to gertz@columbia.edu.