Care and Handling of Library Materials A Self-Guided Workshop

Every time we touch a book we can either help preserve it or help destroy it. Every item purchased by the University at Albany Libraries is handled several times before it even reaches the stacks. How we handle these items does make a difference.

There are several things we can do to help care for the Libraries’ materials. Begin by keeping a tidy work area.

An untidy desk can result in lost and damaged library materials.

Paperclip or Post-it Notes: Remove paperclips and Post-it notes as well as any foreign material from returning items. They can damage books over time.

When a new volume arrives in the libraries, it is first unpacked.

Then it is processed by the Cataloging Dept.

When a new volume arrives in the libraries, it is first unpacked. Then it is processed by the Cataloging Dept. It is then shipped to the branch library where it will be housed.

After materials circulate, they also receive a great deal of handling by Library Staff. When items are returned through a book drop, they begin the re-shelving process.

First, student workers check them in and then put them on a truck.

Then this truck is discharged carefully a second time.

First, student workers check them in and then put them on a truck. Then this truck is discharged carefully a second time. They are then counted and re-sensitized.

Then they are brought to the lower level to be pre-shelved.

After a truck is made up, it will be verified by a student staffer.

Finally, items are returned to the shelves making them available for our patrons.

Library staff have great potential to help or harm the SUNY Albany collections simply by how they treat materials they handle as part of their daily assignments. So here are some things you can do to help.

Treat the library materials you handle as part of your daily job with gentleness and care.

Open new books carefully and slowly. Do not force them open too far. This is especially true when working with cold books. The cold causes the adhesives to become stiff and brittle.

Treat the library materials you handle as part of your daily job with gentleness and care. Open new books carefully and slowly. Do not force them open too far. This is especially true when working with cold books. The cold causes the adhesives to become stiff and brittle. Do not put undue strain on a book while processing it.

Treat the library materials you handle as part of your daily job with gentleness and care. Open new books carefully and slowly. Do not force them open too far. This is especially true when working with cold books. The cold causes the adhesives to become stiff and brittle. Do not put undue strain on a book while processing it. Remove all foreign objects from the books.

No food or drink near library materials. Do not over pack shelving, or improperly shelve books.

Keep books standing straight on the shelves. Allowing books to lean is very damaging to their bindings.

Do not stack books on their fore edges. This will cause the text blocks to tear out of their bindings.

If books are too tall for their assigned shelving, either adjust the shelving or shelve volumes on their spines.

Do not let materials slide, fall, or tip off trucks.

Do not try to remove too many books from a shelf at one time.

Do not pull books from the shelf using the head cap. This can easily damage the binding.

Instead, push back the books on either side of the book you want, then remove your book.

Do not overreach to retrieve a book from a high shelf. Use a stool or ladder.

Copy or scan books with care. Do not force them to lay too flat on the copier. Use the book edge copying feature if the copier has one.

Catch damage early. Slightly damaged items are much easier and less expensive to repair. Please place any damaged books on the Damaged Books shelves.

Despite our best efforts, some library materials will become damaged. The Preservation Department needs your help to identify and route damaged items to them for repair.

PowerPoint Slideshow created by: Shawn Baron, Dahna Bozarth, Yue Li, Rezwanur Rahman, Jess Smith and Louis Yapo Inspired by the Care and Handling slideshow from the Kansas University Libraries created by Brian Baird.