Penny Pinching Tactics for Librarians Presented by Deborah Foster Fayetteville Technical Community College

As librarians we should be good stewards of our monies and resources.

Lets look at what we can use to substitute for the items we would like to have if money were no object.

Take a minute to look at catalogs that offer all the neat things we could order if we had unlimited resources.

Now lets look at a few items that would be great to own, and see what common place items that are readily available that we could use instead.

Book press and Plexiglas Rods

Substitute covered bricks

Wood clamps Use to hold books together when working on spines or other needs for pressure drying

Flex-Jaw Spring Clamp Set $16.99Each found at home repair stores

And Chopsticks Free with oriental food takeout

Or Various size wood dowels found at home repair stores or maybe in the carpentry shop if your institution has a carpentry program. (scraps that they would just throw out)

Bone Folders

Substitute bread board scraper

Expensive Laminate

Clear Contact Paper from discount stores ( for use on paperbacks or other inexpensive books.)

Filmoplast paper mending tape

Magic tape

Glue Spreaders Popsicle sticks from discount or craft store

Glue spreaders Knitting needles assorted sizes picked up at yard sales or thrift store

Glue spreaders Flat paint brushes at discount stores

Glue spreaders Round paint brushes at craft stores or discount stores

Cleaning Supplies

Try this

Or this

And maybe this to remove hard to clean spots

Mold and Mildew

Use for Mold/Mildew removal Bleach A solution of bleach and water will help remove the mildew and mold stains.

Distilled Vinegar and Sunshine Use to clean minor Mold and mildew problems due to excess moisture in the library, or damaged books returned by patrons

Mold and Mildew For minor outbreaks, use a solution of distilled vinegar and water to wash the book (don’t overdue the moisture) and place the materials outside in the sunshine for at least an hour to help kill the mold and mildew spores. Wipe down the shelves using the same solution and let dry completely before putting material back on the shelves.

Mold/Mildew Make sure the moisture and heat levels are monitored, and if needed, place a dehumidifier in the room to control the moisture, and keep the temperature level constant.

Remember Books like people don’t like to be too cold or hot for best results.

When all else fails, remember the Kiss (Keep it simple sister) rule (apologies to our male participants) Use your imagination and common sense when working with book repairs and state money.

End Presented at the 2015 North Carolina Community College Library Association Conference, Wake Technical Community College March 16, 2015