Book Care (Revised)

By Carolyn

The Summer Reading Program is the time to check out tons of books - new genres, bestsellers, and old favorites - and we want to remind folks of a few ways to be kind to your reading materials this summer (and always!):

Foods/fingerprints : While cracking open a new story with a snack at your side sounds like heaven, it can be damaging to reading materials. Dusty, crumbly, or messy foods and beverages can become lodged in the spine and permanently stain and damage pages. Please handle reading materials with clean, dry hands far away from food and beverage items.

Proper bookmarks : What you use to mark your place in that awesome story is important. Actual paper or fabric bookmarks are the kindest to your reading materials; items like pens, pencils, metal objects, candy wrappers, or other similar objects can tear pages, warp the books, or leave behind stains and damage that cannot be repaired.

Moisture/spill damage: Please be sure to keep borrowed reading materials far, far away from moisture-rich places such as bathtubs, saunas, beaches, rainforests, or bags with beverage bottles. When the pages of a book become wet or even simply damp, they wrinkle and become permanently altered, sometimes un-readable.

Marking/writing: Library materials are here for everyone to share, so please refrain from marking in them, even with pencil. If you want to keep track of books you've read in a series, there are a number of options like reading log apps, book journals, or simply keeping a list of titles on hand.

Scotch tape/ home repairs: Accidents happen, like torn pages or a broken spine, and the library is prepared! We have the tools to fix any number of damages, so don't worry about using your own scotch tape or glue to fix that book. Just let one of us know upon returning the item and our menders will do their best to repair it.

Smells/odors: Please be aware that paper is rather porous and will pick up strong smells very quickly, and is rather reluctant to let go of them. Things like strong air fresheners, cigarette smoke, perfume, and even heavy food odors will remain in a book's pages for a long time, making it difficult for everyone to enjoy.

Keep your books safe, and Happy Reading!