Only use pencils around books and paper--do not use pens, highlighters, and/or markers around these items.
Avoid using paper clips and rubber bands.
Also avoid using any and all tape including sticky notes. Sticky notes, even if placed on a library item for a short amount of time, will immediately start damaging library items. Instead of sticky notes, use paper bookmarks--white copy paper will do. Employees can easily write notes on the bookmarks and tuck them into books as needed. Avoid using colored paper as the colorant can bleed onto library materials.
Avoid any gripping/paper aid and or fingertip moistener when flipping through pages of books and avoid licking your fingers for the same purpose. If the paper is fragile and you are concerned about turning the pages, a micro spatula can be used. You can also contact conservation on advice on how best to handle fragile items or items whose pages are difficult to turn.
Call number labels and barcodes should be placed on a white paper bookmark for special collection items. See the Storage section for guidance on library labels and consult FLARE for their preferred method of labeling.
Avoid tape and other sticky labels, especially on the covers. If other information needs to be in a book, purchase an ink stamp and stamp the paper bookmark. Contact preservation if there is a problem with identification stickers for items as well as before using any other materials on library items.
In general, book covers are their own enclosures; however, the value of a book or any other items as an object means that boxes are often used to preserve the whole as a valuable object. The last thing done for an object before being 'shelf ready' is the making of the box, so it is the curator's responsibility to request a box made after the items has been acquired and catalogued. Most boxes should have a clear, inert polyester (i.e. Mylar) spine so all employees can see if the item is still in the box on the shelf for security reasons. Other variations of boxes can be made at the curator's behest.
Researchers utilizing items with a box should be informed that they are responsible for the item and the box and that both need to be returned in good order when returning the item back to the libraries.
See the Storing Items section for more information about boxes, including boxes for items that are not books, and all other appropriate item holders/containers.
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