By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
Learn the fundamentals of book shelving. There is a process to shelving books; properly shelving your books will positively contribute to your books' looks and lifespan.
Step2
Store books that will not be read very often. Freeing up space around your home library allows room for other interesting items or books that need to be displayed or accessed.
Step3
Clean your home library often. Dust, vacuum and polish items so that debris and dirt does not damage your books. Dust books by removing dust jackets and using a clean feather duster to lightly brush away dust from the book's sides and spine.
Step4
Handle books appropriately. Learn the proper ways to touch and read books. Insist that others follow these guidelines to lengthen your books' shelf lives.
Step5
Repair books. You should check all your books for damage every once in awhile to ensure that mold, mildew, weathering and wear and tear is caught before the book becomes unreadable. You may do minor repairs at home or you can take your books to professional book repair shops for specialized care and treatment.
Step6
Keep home library items away from sources of direct light and water. Sunlight and artificial light fixtures can prematurely damage, dull and fade your books. Arrange your home library so that none of your books are facing a light source or are next to pipes.
Step7
Inspect for vermin regularly. If you find vermin, take the appropriate steps to rid your home library of them. Set up traps, poison centers or call an exterminator. Keep your home library clean and well air-conditioned; this will act as a natural deterrent to vermin.
