1. Caring for Collections
Best Practices for Making Library Materials Last
Lindsey Hobbs
Collections Conservator
Princeton University Library
May 2016

2. Anatomy of a Book

3. Brief history of bookbinding

4. Modern Case Binding

5. Common Causes of Degradation
Light (limit or eliminate)
Temperature (≤68°)
Humidity (35 – 50%)
Inherent Vice
Handling

6. Types of Damage

8. (Im)Proper Handling
Paper clip damage
Tape damage
Post-it damage

9. Misshapen books on fore edge
(Im)proper Handling
Broken head caps
Misshapen books on fore edge

10. Eating and Drinking Policy*
*Drinks with a lid are okay

11. Firestone Stacks

12. Folios in the Stacks

13. Encounters with Water and Mold
Require an immediate response!
Alert a supervisor
Call Facilities for water leaks and other building emergencies
Bag any suspected moldy items in a Zip-lock or other sealable bag

14. Role of Preservation Conservation treatment
Items selected for treatment based on use
Items treated in-house or sent to commercial bindery
Housing of materials
Preservation photocopies of brittle materials

15. Role of Preservation Emergency Response
Providing preservation supplies
Preservation information resource

16. Lindsey Hobbs lhobbs@princeton.edu 609-258-1587