Caring for rare books is mostly common sense: keep them in a dry, climate-controlled room away from sunlight, store them upright on coated or finished-wood shelves, dust them gently, and use a professional conservator for any repairs. Do those few things and your books can last for centuries.

The good news is that we live in one of the best times to own rare books. For volumes from the 19th century or earlier, our dry, pest-free, climate-controlled homes must seem like Eden. Books are still fragile, though, and a few simple habits make all the difference.

Where should you store rare books?

Location is one of the greatest dangers to a rare book. Too often, people store books in damp, flood-prone basements, or keep them in rooms where they smoke.

A good rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t keep your most treasured family photos somewhere, don’t keep your books there either. The best place for books is a dry, climate-controlled location that is safe from both the vagaries of nature and from pollutants.

What are the hidden hazards to rare books?

Some of the biggest threats to books are ones you can’t see.

– UV light and direct sunlight

UV light, including direct sunlight, is one of the most common hidden hazards. If you’ve ever seen a leather binding with a faded, toned spine, you’ve seen its effects. Light can also dry out bindings over time. Fortunately, UV-filtering window film and light covers are inexpensive and widely available online.

– Temperature swings

Books prefer a consistent temperature. Try to keep fluctuations within 10 degrees year-round. Your storage room doesn’t need to be cold: while cold is a useful preservation method in institutional libraries, a room that stays around 70°F is perfectly fine for the vast majority of books.

What is the best furniture for storing rare books?

If you have a valuable collection, you’re most likely keeping it on bookcases or similar furniture, and most bookcases work well.

1. Coated or finished wood is a great choice of material.
2. Avoid plywood and unfinished wood, which can leach small amounts of destructive acid onto books and turn them brittle over time.
3. If you’re just outfitting a library, choose bookcases with adjustable shelves.

How should you shelve rare books?

How you position books on the shelf matters as much as the shelf itself.

1. Stand most books upright, squarely on the shelf
2. Shelve heavy books (like large folios) flat instead of upright, since standing them can cause the text block to tip forward and eventually break away from the binding.
3. Give books room to be cozy but not crammed: tight enough that they don’t lean, loose enough that you’re not scraping the covers when you pull one out.
4. Use bookends on shelves that aren’t full so books stand straight rather than slumping.

How do you clean and repair rare books?

1. Dust your books regularly and gently, avoiding the spine.
2. If a book needs repair, seek out a professional conservator. Never use non-conservation materials like tape, which can permanently harm a book.
3. Keep the protective materials your books came with. Many books purchased from Bauman arrive with dust jacket protectors, boxes, and/or slipcases. We choose these storage methods carefully, and they help protect your books for years to come.

No matter how large or small your collection, taking certain reasonable steps can help your books to stay safe and in exceptional condition. If you have any questions about caring for our books, we are, as always, happy to help.