They are cheap, easy to pack and lightweight. Unlike hardcover books, paperbacks have thick paper covers and the textblocks are glued together instead of stitched or stapled. Paperbacks were designed to be affordable, not to last. Often times, you will find that the paper used in these softbound books are highly acidic. Not to mention all of the other issues that are less customary for our hardcover companions...
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Ways to Keep Paperbacks in Good Shape (Structurally):
1) Get it Hardcover Bound - This is a great first resort if you don't mind changing the structure of the book but if your paperback book is fragile or you want to keep it as is, move on to a better option for you.
2) Pamphlet Bind - If the paperback book is one signature vs multiple signatures, the single section can be sewn into a hard, easily removable binder. There are several other types of binding that may be better suited for your book such as spiral binding, velobinding, etc.
3) Book Box - Buy or custom make an "archival" quality acid-free, lignin-free box that you can keep your book in. This may make the book stand on the shelf without worries of dust, light damage, or other environmental factors affecting it. You can decorate the box if you want, too. Bonus!
4) Wrapper - Buy or custom make an "archival" quality acid-free, lignin-free four flap enclosure (wrapper) for your book for the same reasons as a book box without all the bulk.
5) Buy a New One - Many paperback books are relatively inexpensive. This is a good option if the content is more valuable than the specific copy you are working with. If it's still in print and you have an acidic or damaged book on your hands, you may want to get a new one instead.
Other Care Techniques that Seem Obvious but Aren't Always:
1) Hygiene - Wash your hands before handling a book. Even lotions can cause harm.
2) Drink Coffee First - If you snack or drink next to a book, don't be surprised if your book gets a little taste of what you're having! Food and water can cause staining, warped pages, and mold growth.
3) Use a Bookmark - As pages get older and slowly begin to deteriorate, folds in those pages tend to tear off easily. Even a piece of printing paper is better!
4) Close the Book when not using it - This sounds easy but how many of us actually do that? I sometimes find myself setting a book upside down on the page I'm reading if I can't find a bookmark which is not good for the text block.
5) Storage - Store in cool, dry place upright on a shelf, closely packed with other books that are similar in size. Not too tight, not too loose.
6) Chemicals - Writing in books with pens/highlighters increase the acidity of books. Repairs using office materials have lasting negative effects (office glue, tape, post it notes, etc.).If your goal is to preserve the life of your book, write in pencil and use "archival" quality materials.
7) Keep out of the Sun- Sun damage will change the color of your pages to yellow, brown, etc. and your pages will fade.
Take a moment to consider how it will be used in the years to come and it will help determine the best way to preserve it.
Hopefully these tips help!
Now let's hear from you. What do you do to preserve your paperback books? Comment below!
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