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Book Care Tips - Books should last a lifetime.  Here are a few book care tips that will make your books last !

1) Wash you hands before handling a book and as tempting as it might be don't eat or drink while reading a book.  It's difficult to get crumbs out of the binding and and sweet liquid or crumbs may invite insects to visit your books causing further damage.

2) Use a Bookmark to read your book.  Ever wonder why some books seem to always open up to the same page ?  When you leave a book open and face down it can damage the binding causing certain pages to flip open more easily than others.  This is particularly true of a new book that hasn't been broken in.  We sell bookmarks on our accessories page or you can search amazon for loads of great book marks.

3) Avoid direct sunlight - Sunlight can fade book covers, dust jackets and illustrations within the book, particularly colorful covers often used in today's books.

4) Extremely humid environments can also damage books.  You should never leave books in a humid or web basement or attic where mold could develop.  The general rule of thumb is that if you would be comfortable in your storage area then your books will be comfortable.

5) If you store your books in boxes for an extended period it is best to use acid free containers.  Acid can cause the pages in your books to become yellow and brittle over time.  Plastic containers might be a better choice.

6) You can buy dust cover jackets to keep the dust cover clean.  You might want to consider dust cover jackets for your more valuable books.

7) Never try to clean a valuable book as you may cause damage that will decrease the value of the book.  Ask your local book store for recommendations on a professional conservator to assist you.

8) Breaking in a new book - While holding the book closed gently place the book on a clean surface with the spine pointing down resting on your work surface.  Gently open the back cover and open it until almost touches the work surface.  Now take a few pages (back to front) and let them drop down onto the back cover.  Then gently run your hand down the pages along the binding from top to bottom causing the pages to slightly bend over onto the back cover.  Do not put enough pressure to crease the pages, simply bend them a bit.  Repeat this process until the entire book has been opened.  You may also want to open your front cover a bit and gently stretch it a bit as well.  You have now broken in your book.  Pages should turn now easily without cracking the binding.

9) Common sense - Follow these tips and use common sense caring for your book and you will be fine.  Avoid situations that put your book in jeopardy. It only takes the blink of an eye to spill a glass of soda or splash water on your book, common sense should always prevail. 

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