The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 51, December 4, 2005, Article 8

LIBRARY CARE AND CONSERVATION

Ken Schultz writes: "Did you ever publish any
beginner pointers/guidelines on how beginning
bibliophiles can best take care of their holdings,
that is, library care and conservation?"

[We have discussed this topic in the past, but
it's high time we revisited it.  I'll start, but
I'll admit that I'm no shining example.  Given that,
perhaps it would be best to start with a couple
basic things NOT to do.

DON'T stuff your shelves to the gills.  Get more
shelves or start thinning your library.   I know
it's hard for a bibliophile to part with a single
book, but for every book you love, there is one you
may love just a little bit less.  Bite the bullet,
and set one free.  Ken Lowe told me one time about
John Ford's philosophy in this regard, and it sums
up the matter succinctly:  "Whenever you buy
something cute, sell something less cute."

DON'T let your books lean this way and that as a
consequence of having too FEW books on a given
shelf.  That's what bookends are for! Letting them
lean or sag too long is an invitation to trouble.

What other advice do our readers have to offer?
-Editor]

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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