By very nature, books and manuscripts suffer wear and tear. Small, repeated and unconscious actions can sometimes result in serious damage. Also, be careful not to use glues and adhesives as the acid content can do more damage than good.

Cleaning

• Dust and dirt can damage books, so dust regularly.

Display

• Do not leave books open face downwards as this weakens the spine.
• Avoid leaving books in direct sunlight.

Handling

• Dirty hands can introduce elements of decay so avoid eating or drinking whilst reading.

Storage

• Try to keep temperatures moderate and stable, ideally not higher than 20C.