Removing books from the shelves and safe handling techniques
Books are subject to decay just by sitting on the shelf undisturbed. Moving and using books only increases this rate of breakdown so it is important to ensure safe handling wherever possible to ensure the longevity of the collection. The following guidelines cover removing and reshelving all regular sized and large sized books in the library. Special attention should be given to books published before 1900.
Removing books from the shelf:
- Avoid taking books from the shelves by pulling on the top or edge of the spine
INSTEAD:
- Take books from the shelf one at a time to avoid overloading.
- Remove books from the shelf by reaching over the top to the fore-edge and push the required book forwards from the back
- OR if the books are tightly packed and there is no room above the book, push back the volumes on either side of the one to be retrieved, exposing enough of the book to allow a firm grip on the text block.
- Support books when taking them from the shelf by holding the text block either side of the spine
Take extra care when:
- removing early printed or fragile books as damage can be caused to the binding due to friction and strain
- retrieving books fitted with clasps, metal fittings, strap ties and cover flaps
Readjusting and reshelving books
Once the book is removed, the gap left should be closed.
Carefully adjust the remaining books on the shelf to close the gap of place book ends to add support.
To replace a book, loosen the bookend and move the shelved books aside to create space. Insert the book and readjust the bookend.
- Removing large sized books from the shelf
- Extra care must be taken when using large format books as they are often unwieldy and difficult to handle due to their size.
- Only take one book from the shelf at a time and use both hands to move them.
- Please ask a member of library staff if you feel unsure handling large sized material or need a trolley to transport them to your desk
- Reshelving large sized books
- Ensure that they are reshelved either vertically or flat
- Never shelve books on their foredges
Where possible do not let books extend beyond the edges of shelves into aisles, as they can be damaged by passers-by or trolleys.
