I assume that you, dear reader, have recently found yourself spending far more time than you are used to (or would like to) at home. Well, I’ve got good news for you! The first bit is that you are keeping everyone around you safe by spending more time indoors, and we thank you for that. The second bit, is that I have some tips and suggestions for how to keep the fires of your preservation passion alive while stuck at home.
The first tip is an easy one, one which you’re already doing. Blogs! We have lots of great posts here on this site, why not take a look at our backlog? Then when you’re done with that, check out a few of my own favorites.
Duke University’s preservation blog
A beautiful blog by artist Hannah Brown with lots of embroidered leather bindings
Preservation at the National Archives
Preservation at the Parks Library at Iowa State University
Once you’re properly inspired and energized, take this opportunity to check in on your own collections. Are all of your books and papers stored safely?Are any of them sitting on the floor, in front of a furnace, under an old, leaky AC unit? If so, pick them up! Then have a look at this post or this one to learn more about safe handling and storage. Take steps now to ensure that Grandma’s old copy of The Joys of Jello is available for future generations to enjoy!
A quick and easy way to keep your books in tip-top shape is to make sure you’re using them gently and correctly. I realize it’s unreasonable to think that anyone could refrain entirely from eating while reading, and I will be the first to admit to occasionally finding myself at the end of a book with an inexplicably empty family-size bag of Cheetos next to me, but we can at least take sensible precautions. Make sure your hands are clean when handling books and don’t leave them anywhere where food or drink could be spilled on them.
And while we’re on the subject of food, don’t use it as a bookmark! A few years ago the Guardian had a very interesting article about the wide range of disgusting items found in books, and we can relate! Our very own Elise Calvi once found an entire slice of moldy tomato!
Why not make some bookmarks instead? They will keep your books in perfect shape and they’re so cute you’ll never forget them and be forced to use produce in a pinch. Here are some of my favorites.
A cute cat!
An adorable koala family!
An elegant crane!
A…dragon? Kind of?
And since you’ve already fallen in to this YouTube rabbit hole, why not make yourself a whole miniature library! There are so many things you can do with tiny books! Make necklaces, earrings, keychains! The world is your oyster!
I hope this gives you a bit of inspiration for how to spend your days at home. Stay tuned for more suggestions! Stay safe out there everyone!
Leave a Reply