Once you've received your books, make sure you store and handle them properly to preserve their longevity and keep them in pristine condition, especially if you've purchased a larger quantity and plan to sell them over a number of months or years.
Read on below for some helpful tips to keep your books looking their best!
Proper Storage of Books
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Optimal Environment: Store your books in a cool environment with room temperature or below. Relative humidity should be around 35% to prevent mold and mildew growth. Avoid attics, basements, or places prone to leaks and extreme temperature fluctuations.
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Limit Light Exposure: Minimize exposure to light of all kinds, especially direct or intense light, which can fade and damage book covers and pages over time.
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Distance from Heat Sources: Keep your books away from radiators and vents to prevent warping or drying out of materials.
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Regular Cleaning: Dust your books regularly and keep your reading area clean to prevent buildup and protect the book's surfaces.
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Proper Shelving: Group books of similar size together on the shelves so that the covers are adequately supported by neighboring books on each side. Ensure upright shelved books remain straight and avoid leaning. Alternatively, storing books lying flat is also a suitable method for preservation.
Proper Care and Handling of Books
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Maintain Clean Hands and Area: Always handle books with clean hands, and ensure your reading area is tidy. This prevents dirt and oils from transferring to the book's pages.
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Avoid Food and Drink: Keep food and drinks away from your books to prevent spills and stains that can cause irreparable damage.
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Gentle Book Removal: When taking a book off the shelf, grip it firmly on both sides of the spine at the middle of the book. Avoid tugging at the top of the spine, as this can lead to damage over time. Pushing in the neighboring books on both sides will help you get a good grip.
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Mindful Book Opening: Refrain from forcing a book to lay open at a 180-degree angle, as this strains the spine. Instead, prop up the covers to decrease the opening angle and reduce stress on the binding.
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Avoid Harmful Bookmarks: Do not use paper clips, dog-ear folding, or acidic inserts to mark pages. These can cause tears or stains, marring the book's condition.
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Refrain from Using Harmful Materials: Steer clear of rubber bands, tape, glue or other adhesives. These substances can deteriorate the book's materials.