How to preserve old books

Avoid leaving the books open, face-down, or stacking them for prolonged periods to reduce strain on the spine of the book. Books that are longer than eighteen inches or deeper than three inches—such as atlases and maps—should lie flat, and can be stacked in groups of three on bookshelves or in storage containers.

Storing your rare books

Large heavy folio-size books are best stored flat. Other books on shelves should be kept upright at 90° to the surface of the shelf and should be supported on either side by books or book stands of similar size, to prevent the covers becoming warped.

Do hydrate the leather about once a year. Not to be morbid but leather is skin and just like yours it needs conditioning to stay nice and last a long time. See how to properly condition and hydrate your leather bindings HERE. Don’t store or shelve your books in direct sunlight.

Temperature and Humidity

Ideal levels are 68-72° F, with 40-50% RH. Monitor temperature and humidity levels. Excessive fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity can be particularly damaging to book.

Books should be stored away from radiators and kept in a room between 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius and 21 degrees Celsius). Air conditioners and fans are fine to use to keep the temperature down.

Books are made of different materials that are all sensitive to heat and humidity. For instance, most people are uncomfortable in a cold, dark, damp basement, or a hot, dry attic, and both of these areas would also be a poor storage environment for books.

Plastic containers are an excellent choice for long-term book storage, as they defend against moisture and other damage. While boxes are fine for most short-term moves, over time they become susceptible to humidity, moisture, and pests. The airtight seal of plastic containers protects from all three of these threats.

Books need air circulation, so don’t pack them too tightly. Books should be packed standing up, with space between each stack. Try to balance the weight evenly in the box. Using packing paper, Styrofoam peanuts, or bubble wrap in between the stacks helps keep them in place.

A. The ideal place to store books is pest-free, like an attic or a garage, as long as those spaces aren’t subject to big temperatures changes and are well ventilated. Never keep books in a humid spot; the mold that grows in damp places will damage them, along with any other paper-based objects.

Ideally, stand the books upright in the storage box. Always pack stacks of books with fore edges facing the sides of the box so that if the load shifts, the “spines against spines” configuration guards against damage. Do not lay books flat on top of the upright ones.

Store books in plastic boxes

Preferably opaque ones, with lids, that will stop light from getting to the books and damaging them. Plastic boxes will also protect your books from rodents if you are storing them in a garage or garden shed, and are easy to stack in out of the way places.

Plastic storage bins offer a great option for bringing much-needed organization to the vast array of stuff that you need to keep handy in your garage.

Don’t store papers and documents in your garage because they will get ruined by moisture and they also might get covered with dirt and dust over time. If these papers are important, you‘re going to want to keep them safe.

So as a general rule, don’t store anything in your garage that you wouldn’t store in the trunk of your car. Extreme temperatures, as well as excess humidity, can cause many items to warp, break, or otherwise become damaged.