Handling Special Collections
When accessing Special Collections in the reading rooms, handling documents may be daunting for an inexperienced reader.
Many of the books in the University of Manchester Collections are unique, rare and irreplaceable. Consequently, we need to take care to safeguard these often vulnerable and fragile items to preserve them for future generations.
It is paramount to understand the importance of good handling practice, and to observe some simple and easy rules whilst consulting the collections.
HAND & JEWELLERY ETIQUETTE
We all like adornments, but those could be a potential cause of damage!
Nail varnish, jewellery, watches and hand cream should not be worn as they could potentially harm documents.
We always invite readers to thoroughly wash their hands before accessing the reading room, and provide nitrile gloves when handling sensitive objects such as photographs, binding with metallic elements etc.
If in doubt about using gloves, ask a member of the reading room staff or request advice from the collection care team.
PENCILS ONLY!
Only use pencils when handling objects, never pen or markers. Those leave permanent marks on the books.
SUPPORT THE BOOK
Books are three dimensional objects that move differently depending on the materials used in their construction and the style of the binding.
The reading room provides the readers with cushions and book supports to enhance a safe and comfortable read. Be mindful of the binding’s fragility and always inspect the object you are about to consult for areas that could be prone to damage.
When using book supports, make sure the boards are in a safe position to minimize strain on the joints (hinges between book and cover) which are often weak. Use as small an opening as possible, particularly where boards are large and heavy or movement is stiff.
USE SNAKE WEIGHTS
Snake weights are long thin articulated weights covered in archival quality cloth. When examining a tightly sewn book, they are used to weigh down pages for safe and easy consultation of the item. Remember to position those weights carefully and remove them before closing the book.
BOOKS WITH TAPES
Sometimes books may have loose boards. When boards become separated from the text block, the boards should be tied to the text block using archival tying tape until a more substantial repair can be performed.
When returning a book with tapes, the bows should be placed adjacent to the text block so that no damage or indentations are made to the spine or boards, and to adjacent books on the shelves.
BOXES AND ENCLOSURES
Many of the books and documents in our collection are stored in archival boxes and enclosures. Those provide additional protection for fragile and vulnerable items, as well as supplying comfort and safe storage for books with clasps, oddly shaped items et cetera.
If a collection of items are in a box or folder, it’s recommended to pay attention to their position so they are returned to the reading room staff in the same order.
FOOD AND DRINK ETIQUETTE
Where there is food and sweet drinks, pests may follow. Insects and small animals are attracted to food, but also to books and documents due to their materials. They can pose a risk to the building, the collections and most importantly to anybody using the Library (think about the impact of a mice infestation, or how the presence of a bird’s nest in a building can introduce health and safety risks).
Spills can cause permanent stains, and moisture on coated (shiny) pages can cause them to stick together irreparably. Crumbs from food can also leave an oily or sticky residue on pages and work surfaces. The damage may not be apparent at first, but being cumulative, it can affect the life of objects in the long run.
Food and drinks are therefore not allowed in the reading room.
Studying and reading are demanding activities, therefore we advise readers to use comfort breaks to drink and eat using designated areas of the 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.
