I want to preserve books?

Question

I've got some paperback books with bad-quality pages. I was wondering how I should perserve them the best I can without buying any extravagant materials. Should I leave them out in the light, in the sun? Or should I store them in a dark, dusty bookshelf with no exposure to light?

Answer 1

The first answer is really wild and worth a test run -- I've never heard of that, but it does make some sense.

This is a really cool company and the website has some great information:

http://www.baumanrarebooks.com/

I didn't see anything about paperback preservation though after a quick look.

Here are the tips I can offer though:
-Keep them out of direct sunlight.
-Best storage is in a dry place with humidity around 35-40%.
-Upright, spine out, next to each other, with enough room to work a finger in between the books easily.
-Remove any staples not vital to the binding (they rust).
-If you are going to handle them often try using cotten gloves.

Bauman may even have some plastic bags they could suggest for storing this books to a higher degree of preservation.

Good luck, I hope this helps. --Andy

Answer 2

Soak them in vegetable oil, or canola oil, try to reach every page. Then place them in the oven at 200 degrees for 10-12 minutes. It firms the paper that makes the pages, and your books will last up to 30 extra years. For hardcover books do the same but heat at 300 degrees for 15-20 minutes.