Protecting Books DIY

Hello, all! I've recently taken responsibility for a new library in a very rural area located in southeast Asia. My resources are pretty limited but thankfully I've managed to get hold of some books, shelves and furniture. My immediate problem is protecting the books that we've been lucky enough to find but the only tools I can seem to find is packaging tape (the wide, plastic kind in those large rolls). I'm hesitant to use this to line the spines and edges of book covers but it looks like a more viable option every passing day.

Has anyone had to do this before? Does anyone have an alternative solution? I want these books to last for long after I'm gone. Thanks so much in advance!

I don't do this professionally, but from looking at my own books versus library books, finding something like plastic sheets to cover the covers is a good option, to protect from skin oils, food, repeated handling, etc. If it starts to look nasty, you can take if off and replace it. I know you can buy rolls of various types of clear cover material. Not sure what the budget option would be but it feels like a good investment. ID stickers and things can also go under the plastic to stay protected as well.

I've seen spine tape used with magazines often to keep them together. The local library doesn't put any magazines out without spine tape (it's a heavy, more expensive clear packing tape. I got some at either Walmart or another department store. Not sure which, to use with either the annoyingly thick novels or the super skinny kid's books that area threatening to lose pages).

A lot of problems with in your area have to do with climate. Your books are likely to suffer from humidity, from mold, and from insects eating them. Plastic covers of any sort are likely to make the problems worse, not better.

I'm also not a professional but will second the concern about humidity and insects. Although, neither might be problems in your area (with books usually staying in air conditioning).

If the books are likely to endure humid conditions frequently, I wonder-- and this is a question for all the libertarians here-- if a UV light box would help prevent mold? What about the smell from insect urine? Can that be sanitized away with light?

Another concern is acidic glue. Is your packaging tape archival safe?

>4 aspirit: You could possibly cure odors by enclosing the book in a container along with activated charcoal.

Hello there. It wouldn't do any harm to post your question here as well: http://www.librarything.com/groups/bookcareandrepair. Cheers, and best wishes for your library.

>1 christopherk92: It depends on your goals. If your goal is just to keep items readable under hard wear for as long as reasonable, and then replace them ... well, let's just say that when I started at a public library I was amazed at the number of places we used scotch tape and/or packing tape. Also, white glue.

If replacing them may not be possible, you may want to took into other things - tape is not a long-term fix.

There are actual sticky hard plastic covers you can put over paperbacks, but no library I've worked at has used them, because we have the privilege of treating paperbacks as disposable. I've owned a few withdrawn books that had them, though, and those things have *lasted*. But a lot of adhesives don't do great in (sub)tropical temperatures (I've had paperback binding melt in midwestern American summers.) Also, if you don't have access to library suppliers, I'm not sure where you get them.

(If you need disposable books for the library - and you want English language ones - may I recommend https://big-books.org/ which does not have a great web presence but sends them to new international libraries by the shipping container full?)

Back when I taught Sunday school, the kids were given paperback bibles. We spent a couple of sessions beefing up the covers and allowing customization. We cut heavy card to wrap the front back and spine, allowed the kids to decorate those in any manner, and then covered them with clear contact paper that folded to the inside. My copy is still in great shape, with no discolorations or wear. Careful measuring and placement of the contact paper is, of course a key; but it was a very cheap and handy material.