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how do you take care of your books?

PostPosted: November 6th, 2011, 9:29 am
by turandot
I'm just wondering how do you take care of your books? I usually put plastic covers on my books before I read them, I don't fold down the corners of the pages I use bookmarks instead. If you have any tips on how you protect your priceless books please share them here. Thanks! ;)

Re: how do you take care of your books?

PostPosted: November 6th, 2011, 2:02 pm
by lizzie23
Sometimes i dont put plastic covers anymore coz i heard its bad daw for the books coz it traps heat inside.... I just remove the dust jackets and put them in a plastic bag when i bring them around! :D

Re: how do you take care of your books?

PostPosted: November 6th, 2011, 8:07 pm
by Skye
I use plastic covers but I don`t tape it on the book. Either only on the plastic or not at all. I rarely let anyone borrow my books, and I`m very serious on the book spines. Haha.

Re: how do you take care of your books?

PostPosted: November 6th, 2011, 8:11 pm
by Wanda
hi i also want to know whether plastic covers are really good or bad...right now half my books are covered and half are not! heheh

Re: how do you take care of your books?

PostPosted: November 6th, 2011, 10:38 pm
by Skye
Wanda wrote:hi i also want to know whether plastic covers are really good or bad...right now half my books are covered and half are not! heheh


Same here! I could afford to buy shelves of books but not plastic covers! XD

Re: how do you take care of your books?

PostPosted: November 7th, 2011, 4:21 am
by turandot
I don't put plastic covers on my hardbound books except sa mga paperbacks.. Now I'm thinking removing plastic covers.. hay to remove or not to remove? =)

Re: how do you take care of your books?

PostPosted: November 7th, 2011, 10:39 am
by Wanda
Haha turandot, if theyre wrapped already don't remove them na! Maybe just for your next books. I do put one of those dehumidifiers in my shelves tO keep them books dry... And keeP the cabinets closed para walang dust. I heard kasi somewhere closed bookshelves are better than open ones. :D

Re: how do you take care of your books?

PostPosted: November 7th, 2011, 10:48 am
by bossjun
Sharing this good article:
http://classiclit.about.com/od/bookcoll ... ebooks.htm


Avoid Writing
You may have been told to write in the margins of your books, or even to underline or highlight words, phrases, and paragraphs. But, if you plan to keep the book, add it to your library, or even sell it--don't write in the book. The ink permanently damages your book. Use a journal or notebook to take notes on pages/passages; or use pieces of paper or Post-It notes. If you are required to write in your book, use a pencil, and erase the markings.

Avoid Food and Drink
Food and liquids are hazards to your books. The best practice is to avoid eating or drinking while you read. If you need to read while you eat, make sure your fingers are clean and dry as you hold the book or turn the pages. Also, keep the book well away from the food and drink. Check the table (or other surfaces) for moisture, crumbs, and stickiness before you put your book down.

Take Care
When you handle your book, hold it with care. When you read the book, don't fold down the corners of the pages (use a bookmark instead). Don't fold the cover of the book back. Don't break the binding; and don't place your book with the book open, face-down. Use a book cover/dust cover to keep your books in the best condition.

Shelve It
If you want to take care of your books, keep your books on a shelf when you're not reading them. But, also, take care that the books are shelved properly. Each book should be shelved in an upright, vertical position (don't let the books lay on their side, nor should you stack them). Each book should have plenty of head room (space above the book), so you won't bump the binding when you shelf the book. If you don't have enough room on your shelves, store books in boxes--in a vertical position.

Avoid Heat and Moisture
When you install your bookshelves, make sure they are in a dry place--out of direct light, and away from the heat. If you shelve your books in a moist place (basement, bathroom, or other moist areas), mold and mildew can grow on your books. Sunlight can damage the bindings of your books. Too much heat can cause the books to dry out and the pages to crumble.

Avoid Bugs, Pets, and Other Critters
Bugs and mice can eat books. Dogs can chew books; and cats can scratch the bindings of books. You can avoid many of these issues by keeping the books in a clean area (and using dust covers). If possible, it's always a good idea to keep the door of your library closed (to avoid accidental enticements for cats and dogs). Also, keeping food away from books also makes them less of a draw for mice and other critters (although mice sometimes chew books for nesting supplies). Avoid using spray or powders near your books.

Keep Out-of-Kid's Reach
It's important to encourage kids to read, and it's important for children to see you reading. But, kids can also tear pages, chew on the book, and contribute to the overall destruction of some of your most prized volumes. Depending on the ages of the children in your life, you may teach them to handle books with care. If they are of ages (or temperaments) where that's not possible: keep the door of your library shut, shelve books out-of-easy-reach, and/or purchase enclosed shelving units that lock. Again, the idea is not to discourage reading--just to protect books.

Re: how do you take care of your books?

PostPosted: November 7th, 2011, 12:20 pm
by turandot
Wanda wrote:Haha turandot, if theyre wrapped already don't remove them na! Maybe just for your next books. I do put one of those dehumidifiers in my shelves tO keep them books dry... And keeP the cabinets closed para walang dust. I heard kasi somewhere closed bookshelves are better than open ones. :D



lol! tnx wanda! by the way you're library is so cool wish I have one. 8-) ( in my dreams lol)

Re: how do you take care of your books?

PostPosted: November 9th, 2011, 3:37 am
by ecyang
Hi! I cover my books with plastic covers and have around three small rolls of plastic covers here just for the books. My parents taught me to cover them kasi, though recently, hindi sya naka-cover---medyo na damage ng konti. :)