SOILED COVERS may be cleaned by using a hard eraser, pumice stone or
soap and water. The best results are obtained by the use of the
following wash:
Two parts good vinegar and one part water. Apply with a clean cloth
and rub hard until dirt is removed, then place upright to dry. This
should not be used on leather.
The book should then be shellacked.
SHELLACKED COVERS. New books may receive preliminary care by shellacking
before placing in circulation. Shellacking the covers, especially those
in light colors, provides great protection from dirt, and they are then
easily washed with the vinegar and water. Another coat of shellac is
advisable after washing.
To shellac, hold the book by the printed matter and apply the
shellac, which may be diluted with a little wood alcohol, taking
care to shellac the edges well. Give two coats; between coats
suspend on a cord over night to dry. After the last coat, rub with
soft cloth slightly oiled with olive oil. This prevents sticking.
If the books are labeled before shellacking, the ink must be allowed
to dry thoroughly or it may run; in removing the labels, use wood
alcohol first to cut the shellac and then soak off with blotting
paper and water.
Care should be taken in the selection of the shellac; if not, the books
will be gummy and hard.
The leather on bound magazines and books often becomes very dry and will
split and crack. This is especially true of books not greatly used, as
the oil of the hands acts as a great preservative. To prevent this
cracking and splitting, some oil is necessary. Vaseline is good for
this, applied with a cotton pad covered with a soft cloth, and should
remain on the leather for a day to permit absorption of the oil. Some
leathers will absorb a second application, after which books may be
rubbed down and returned to shelves. The oil or vaseline does not harm
the gilding. This may be done once a year, depending upon the condition
of heat in library and upon age and condition of leather bound books.
WORN COVERS may be replaced on books with leather backs by removing
cloth from the boards dry, and using this as a pattern from which to cut
new cloth or paper. Reline inside of boards with paper.
COVERS SPLIT AT JOINT. Strips of cloth in assorted colors may be
obtained with other mending supplies to reinforce covers split at the
joints.
This cloth may be obtained gummed or ungummed; if ungummed, use paste;
if gummed, moisten with thin paste.