Tip #21: Handle books gently.

Tip #21: Handle books gently.

Well, duh. But what does that mean, “handle gently”?

First things first, when you remove a book from a shelf, grab it by the middle of the spine. Pulling from the top applies unequal stress and over time this can even cause the spine to detach.

If you have books you already know are fragile, consider investing in a book cradle (check out the second image [above]). Cradles support the book’s spine (not unlike a particularly ergonomic chair) and reduce the chance of the spine detaching. (Noticing a theme?)

Books’ spines are particularly vulnerable to damage due to mishandling, but so are their pages. When you flip a page, use your whole hand to support the page. Never pinch a corner and never lick your fingers. With large books, you might even want to use two hands.

Want to learn more about caring for your book collection? Check out our webinar on YouTube!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUZnW3sA-kI

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