Proper Care of Books?

[Ninja_Turtle]

My first post. :)

I went to read some of my comic digests earlier and was shocked to see that the pages are stiff, and seem to crunch when turned. I don't want this to happen to my books. Can anyone advise on how to protect comics or paperback alike from this fate-and is it reversible?

On another note, I might be posting here once in awhile. :)

[feytharn]

The best you can do is to keep them dry and more or less dark. After that, much depends on the quality of the books. I still own some sf Paperbacks 40 to 50 years old, pages are a bit yellowed, but they're fine to flip through and read.
Some other Books I own (a Shakespeare Folio, 90+ years old, some history books from mid last century) are a bit battered around the edges, but otherwise in good shape.
Some books, paperbacks and especially comics not even thirty years old are in worse condition, my guess would be that the coloured ink used contains acid corroding the paper.
There is a way to reverse some of the damage, but it is very expensive as a professional has to apply a special lotion to each page. If you really want that done, ask a bookbinder or even a museum (yes, some museums do that for your books if you pay them).

Welcome to the boards, by the way.

[Vic Wertz]

feytharn wrote:

The best you can do is to keep them dry and more or less dark.

There is such a thing as *too* dry, though, and it sounds like dryness might be a contributor here. You generally want humidity between 30% and 50% (closer to 30% if possible).

As for light, you especially want to avoid ultraviolet light, which is a component of daylight and most fluorescent lights.

If you can store books in a place you don't inhabit, lower temperature is better—but only if that doesn't also mean increased humidity.

Also, look for acid-free archiving materials. You might want to store precious things in non-reactive mylar bags, and make sure you don't let them come into contact with acidic materials—including other books and many cardboard boxes.