Caring for Books
By ajlasent
@ajlasent (536)
Philippines
October 6, 2012 10:34am CST
Hello fellow myLotters!
I'm a book lover and am curious to find out more about your book caring techniques..
Do you cover them? I do, but in a "weird" way, my friends would often say. I use more plastic cover than usual because I cover my books in a way that the tape won't be in contact with any surface of the book at all. All the tape comes in contact with is another flap of plastic cover.
I found that most of the old books here at home have yellowed plastic covers and the tape which have been used to cover them damage and discolor the book flaps. This is why I don't allow the tape to come in contact with books when I cover them.
I also take extra care for my books by using ziplock plastics whenever I bring them along with me when I go out. Anybody else here who does that too?
What are your book care tips?
1 person likes this
10 responses
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
6 Oct 12
I actually do the same thing with my books. I never let the tape touch any of the flaps. They stay within the plastic area. And I replace these plastic covers after a year. I also put small bags of silica gels on top of the books when I place them on the bookshelf. It helps in absorbing whatever moisture in the air which somehow lessens the 'yellowing' of the paper. Well, I only have a few books which I keep. Most of it I eventually sell. Welcome to myLot 
1 person likes this
@ajlasent (536)
• Philippines
6 Oct 12
*high five!*
I haven't changed most of the plastic covers yet as they're still in good condition. i like that silica trick! they're those little packets found in shoe boxes right? ^_^ wow, i really like it. i'm going to look for some of them and do that to my books too! thanks!
i find it hard to part with my books for some reason. they feel like friends and i just can't let them go. .
1 person likes this
So I just have to bring the book and cover them.
@girl_thinking (1959)
• Philippines
7 Oct 12
I've seen books covered by tapes. I think it's actually a good way to cover books but there is no turning back afterwards. I mean, you can't uncover them anymore because the picture will get ruined. (but why would you want to uncover books anyway)..
It's a good idea but you'll end up using too much tape plus, it turns yellow over a period of time
@ajlasent (536)
• Philippines
8 Oct 12
ah, yes... my dad used to do that. x_x it works though... there were some discolorations, but the book achieved its waterproofed effect... :)
there are special tape covers for books my classmate once used... it's like a big sheet of adhesive and transparent plastic... it was a few mm thick and applying it was sort of tricky especially when you want no air bubbles.. i guess i'd do the same for textbooks, but not for any other kind of book. hihi!
only time can tell how the adhesive can affect your book, @adnileb... ;) but i hope there won't be much discoloration. ;) and luck for you for having free tape from the office!
@gir_thinking, that's true, the no turning back part... and i can't do this method so well because i end up with air bubbles in the tape. x_x
@coolimrose (539)
• New Zealand
15 Oct 12
That's great and good book keeping habits.I must say very good.No I am not that into keeping my books properly.No I don't do any of the things that you are doing.I think if you believe in it.I read a lot but do not take much care.In school mummy use to never covered my books cause I hated it.So sorry I am not so specific about it.But it really looks nice to have you books covered they look very neat.must say good on you!!!
@natliegleb (5175)
• India
7 Oct 12
its a good thing and more we read more we get to know and share things with others.i like humourous content in first place
@ajlasent (536)
• Philippines
8 Oct 12
exactly! :D I also think reading takes us to other people's point of view on different matters.. we get informed about what other people like and how they see things from their perspective. ;)
as for reading in general, i enjoy reading because i get to "go places" inside my head and "meet new people" in the form of the characters. :D
@flapiz (23148)
• United Kingdom
7 Oct 12
Well first of all let me say that you are very meticulous when it comes to book care. 
Me, what's important is that my books are in a shelf that has no termites. I don't mind it getting that beat up look as time passes. Because for me, a beat up looking book is loved and read frequently.
Me, what's important is that my books are in a shelf that has no termites. I don't mind it getting that beat up look as time passes. Because for me, a beat up looking book is loved and read frequently. @ajlasent (536)
• Philippines
8 Oct 12
Haha! Yes, meticulous I am. ;)
I know some people who enjoy having their books look the same way and I guess it's not a problem. However, I just can't do the same for my books. x_x
I do buy books from book sales, but when they're a little frayed or used a bit too much I put it upon myself to care especially for them. :D
@girl_thinking (1959)
• Philippines
7 Oct 12
Hi there ajlasent! I like reading discussions about books and reading!
Even though it is practical to download ebooks nowadays, "real" books are still irreplaceable in my opinion.
Ironically, I'm not too keen at taking care of books; after I read them, I just put them in by bookshelf. That's all. I know I should start thinking of caring for them but with all the books I have, I would really get lost! I am thinking of rebuilding my bookshelves, give away or sell the ones I can let go and start anew..
This discussion is very informative, bookish people will love it!
@girl_thinking (1959)
• Philippines
13 Oct 12
My uncles and aunts used to have a huge collection of Readers Digest! I like how they were lined up in the bookshelf looking so neat Bad thing is, I don't know where that collection is anymore..
I have downloaded 50 Shades of Grey but I was not much fond of it. I didn't get to finish even the first part 
Bad thing is, I don't know where that collection is anymore..
I have downloaded 50 Shades of Grey but I was not much fond of it. I didn't get to finish even the first part @ajlasent (536)
• Philippines
13 Oct 12
Yes, they look so cool when you have a lot of the same type of book/magazine all lined up in shelves. :D
It was sent to me, and because I was bored out of my skull, I decided to read and decided to see what the fuss was all about. Yeah, there are really those who don't get it off well with books enough to finish it, it happens to me too, so I understand what you mean. ;)
@ajlasent (536)
• Philippines
8 Oct 12
I like such topics too, thanks! :D
Mm-hmm, I download books sometimes when I can't wait for my savings to reach the price or I can bear not having the actual books on my shelves (like the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy. LOL)
Aw, you should! *nods* I swear it brings a certain sense of satisfaction when you see your books in great condition after years. :) My dad has a collection of beaten and battered (not all, though) National Geographic magazines and I have put it upon myself to "restore" them somehow. Tape and glue does the trick, but I try to be as careful as I can. I have also restored other book pages with tape to prevent further damage... I guess I only like tape touching my books when worse becomes the worst case possible. :)
Thanks for liking my discussion! I hope to hear more from you! :D
@braveheart07 (2601)
• Philippines
6 Oct 12
Hi ajlasent, welcome to myLot.
Personally, I think the best way to care our book is by handling it properly and by putting it in a place where there is no dust and pest free like cockroaches, spiders, ants, etc.
I also cover my books for the most part, especially those that are really important for me. Also, we should avoid getting the book in contact with water or hot drinks like choco.
Happy mylotting!
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
7 Oct 12
We always covered our books in schookl to keep good care of them. i have not thought about covering books much since my school days. I think if i have a book that i really trasure and want to keep for a long toime I would keep it covered and preserved as well as i could. it would not have to be a fancy cover but one that i was happy with.
@pahak627 (4558)
• Philippines
7 Oct 12
I also do what you are doing. I see to it that the tape would not be attached to the book itself. I had several books that are already damaged because when we transferred to this house I placed them in a box. Lately, I opened the box and I discovered that there are insects eating the leaves of my books. I cleaned them and placed them away from the undamaged books.
@mydanods (6513)
• Nigeria
7 Oct 12
if a book is so valuable that i know i will be using it in the next five years, then i make sure i wrap them in nylon covers and keep them safe from prying children and especially water. i have a rack at home where i keep my books and once in a while, they have to be dusted, but i try to make sure the valuable ones are at the bottom of the pile so they could be difficult to remove and be preserved in their original state, although i wonder what humidity would do to them if i do not take them out and dust them once in a while.
