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Step 1
Choose a high-quality book from the get-go. Although it may cost more initially, it will save you the trouble of having to buy the book again when your first copy wears out. Obviously choose a hardcover version as opposed to a trade paperback, but also make sure that your book has a durable sewn binding and high-quality, acid-free paper that won’t brown with age.
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Step 2
Read your book with clean hands. This will keep the edges and the pages of the book looking white and pristine.
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Step 3
Store books in a dry place; use a dehumidifier if necessary.
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Step 4
Store oversized books and paperbacks by laying them flat rather than standing them on end. Never shove too many books into a bookcase, as this will damage the spines. So will tilting or leaning a book.
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Step 5
Remove books from the bookshelf carefully. Do not handle a book by the top of its spine. Do not pick a book up by its cover boards.
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Step 6
Keep books free of keepsakes and newspaper clippings. Storing these in a book will transfer acid to the book’s pages.
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Step 7
Keep your book out of extreme elements, such as direct light or sunlight, or heat. Don’t leave your book lying in the car; it will end up looking warped.
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Step 8
If you see signs of bugs, fungus or mildew, store your book in the freezer.
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Step 9
Clean hardcover books periodically. If your book is bound in leather, have the book sent to a qualified binder every two to five years to be feed.
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Step 10
Always restore books before they get worse. Send your book to a librarian or a qualified professional rather than trying to repair it yourself.
