Handling Books

Portrait of Henry Gwyn Jeffreys Moseley sat at a desk reading with a number of open books piled (inappropriately) beside him

Books are functional objects, with moving parts which, like humans, can get creaky and inflexible with age. Good handling practice is one of the most effective ways of keeping a binding in good shape.

Here are some useful guidelines for handling books:

• Books should be opened gently and supported at all times using cushions and/or foam book supports.
• Never force a book to open flat. Only open bindings as far as they will open naturally without straining.
• Adjust the position of book supports as you move through the book, making sure to minimise any stress along the joints (hinges between spine and boards) which can be fragile.

Foam supports in a safe position for a flexible tight back binding

Foam supports in a safe position for a hollow back binding

Foam supports in a safe position for a rigid tight back binding

• Be aware of the different spines on different bindings: hollow back spines should not be compressed and the leather on flexible spines is prone to cracking if books are opened too wide.
• Snake weights can be used to gently weigh down pages of tightly sewn books.
• Do not place snake weights across text, imagery or fragile areas, and always remove them before closing the book.

Using snake weights to hold down the pages of a book

• Take care when accessing folded maps or illustration within a book. Make sure you have enough work space for the unfolded document. Flat foam supports can be used to support the fold out.
• Take note of the way the item was original folded, and re-fold it in the reverse order, making sure not to create any new creases.

Correct way to consult a fold out from a book using foam book supports and snake weights.

Incorrect way to consult a fold out from a book.

• Nitrile gloves must be worn to handle books with metallic covers.
• Take care when handling books with clasps, metal fitting or cover flaps as these can scratch other items, or damage the book itself if not closed correctly.
• Books with metal fastenings may be closed under tension and can be problematic to open or close. Please ask for help if you need it.

Metallic jewelled covers of a 10th-13th century Gospel Book

• Books may be tied with tapes to keep loose boards in place. Make sure the bow is always tied on the fore-edge gap between the boards.

Correct way to tie up a book with tapes

Incorrect way to tie up a book with tapes

• Red rot is a type of deterioration which causes leather to powder and feel felt-like. Handling can cause it to spread. To prevent this, please place a piece of tissue paper under the book with red rot (ask reading room staff for this) and wash your hands directly after handling.

Detail showing an example of red rot leather on a leather bound book

Tissue paper used as a barrier to protect the cushion book support from red rot staining

• Light can cause irreversible fading and discolouration, so please close a book when you are not working on it and, where possible, keep it out of direct sunlight.

Dappled light on a bookshelf at the John Rylands Research Institute and Library

Images reproduced with the permission of The John Rylands University Librarian and Director of the University of Manchester Library. All images used on this page are licenced via CC-BY-NC-SA, for further information about each image, please follow the link in the description.

If you are interested in using any material from Special Collections please get in contact with our Reading Room staff : uml.special-collections@manchester.ac.uk

Back to index page