Need help preserving a collection with a lot of old books
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1FinnishLibrary
Hello! I volunteer at a library that has a TON of old books, of which none are protected. None of us know what we are doing, and nothing is really cataloged. I need help with how to protect these books and how to repair them.
Anyone advice would be appreciated! I’m in over my head and I’m not sure where to start.
Anyone advice would be appreciated! I’m in over my head and I’m not sure where to start.
2lilithcat
>1 FinnishLibrary:
Is there an institutional library with a Special Collections department near you? I'd consult them. They should be able to refer you to people who can appraise your collection and determine the best way to protect and repair the books.
Is there an institutional library with a Special Collections department near you? I'd consult them. They should be able to refer you to people who can appraise your collection and determine the best way to protect and repair the books.
4lilithcat
>1 FinnishLibrary:
Just want to add: make sure the books are in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment. But do not attempt any repairs until you have consulted an expert. Since, as you say, "none of you know what you are doing", you could do more harm than good. Book conservation, especially with valuable books, is something best left to those with training and experience.
The Guild of Book Workers has a directory that may help you find someone in your area: https://guildofbookworkers.org/find
Just want to add: make sure the books are in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment. But do not attempt any repairs until you have consulted an expert. Since, as you say, "none of you know what you are doing", you could do more harm than good. Book conservation, especially with valuable books, is something best left to those with training and experience.
The Guild of Book Workers has a directory that may help you find someone in your area: https://guildofbookworkers.org/find
5bokai
Old is relative. How old are we talking? 1950s or 1500s?
Best thing you can do is what lilithcat said. Make sure the environment for the books is at a stable temperature and a lowish humidity. Make sure the books are not leaning or prone to falling over. Keep them out of sunlight.
If the books are falling apart whether they should be repaired and how will depend on the nature of the damage and the structure and value of the book.
Most books will survive for centuries if you just let them stand on a shelf and keep pests and environmental damage away from them.
Best thing you can do is what lilithcat said. Make sure the environment for the books is at a stable temperature and a lowish humidity. Make sure the books are not leaning or prone to falling over. Keep them out of sunlight.
If the books are falling apart whether they should be repaired and how will depend on the nature of the damage and the structure and value of the book.
Most books will survive for centuries if you just let them stand on a shelf and keep pests and environmental damage away from them.
6MarthaJeanne
>5 bokai: and if they were not made with acid paper. Mid twentieth century books often just disintegrate as the acid paper browns.
7bokai
>6 MarthaJeanne: True, though if that's a problem then there is no real solution. The likelihood in this instance that these are books worth spending the time and money to stabilize is about 0%.
8MarthaJeanne
>7 bokai: About 10% of the OP's entered books have publication dates in the era when this is likely to be an issue. And there is no solution. The only treatments are very expensive, and only available at very specialized facilities. They only stop the destruction, they do not fix the damage already done.
I think it only fair to say that these books will NOT survive for centuries. I know the heartbreak of watching a prized item in the collection become unreadable. And it had only had the one printing, so any other copy is going to have the same problem.
If a book has survived its first century intact, yes, with decent care it can probably survive a long time. But not all books are made for that. And even well made modern books will only survive a certain number of rereadings. They wear out. Practical lifespan for books in a circulating library is limited.
I think it only fair to say that these books will NOT survive for centuries. I know the heartbreak of watching a prized item in the collection become unreadable. And it had only had the one printing, so any other copy is going to have the same problem.
If a book has survived its first century intact, yes, with decent care it can probably survive a long time. But not all books are made for that. And even well made modern books will only survive a certain number of rereadings. They wear out. Practical lifespan for books in a circulating library is limited.
9Andy_Dingley
One of the best conservation issues primers is here:
https://aiccm.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/1_caring_for_cultural_material_1...
There's a second volume too, but not for paper.
Lending libraries are different from reference libraries, which are different from museums.
https://aiccm.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/1_caring_for_cultural_material_1...
There's a second volume too, but not for paper.
Lending libraries are different from reference libraries, which are different from museums.
10FinnishLibrary
Thank you everyone for your advice! The more I read the more internally I scream AAAAA at how we keep our media. Most of our books in need to help are 1900-1950, but there are a few older ones. None, to my knowledge, are disintegrating, just the binding. I may reach out to Finlandia Foundation to see if I can get us a grant for preservation. We have a single window AC unit and I don’t know if it’s always on in the summer or not. Sounds like we should invest in a DIY mini split kit.
I’ve emailed two people listed in the Guild of Bookbinders directory, so hopefully they get back to me.
I’ve emailed two people listed in the Guild of Bookbinders directory, so hopefully they get back to me.
