Damaged books

Summary: Procedure outlines what Technical Services staff should do when they encounter damaged materials and what sort of damage they should look for and send to Conservation for preservation efforts. Adapted from a presentation given by Bexx Caswell-Olson.

What to do with a damaged book

If you see a damaged book, please do not send it to be shelved. Fill out a “Conservation Request” slip with as much information as possible. 

If you are in Technical Services, bring the book down to Conservation or add to the conservation truck (white with red cross)

If you are in the stacks, place this item on the Conservation book truck. 

If you are in the reading room, this slip will signal staff in the stacks to place it on the Conservation truck instead of the shelving truck.

Conservation will review the item and repair or box it as needed. You will be contacted if we have questions.

What kind of damage should I look for?

Please send the following to Conservation:

• Any damage that could result in the loss of materials (i.e. loose pages, detached cover or spine).
• Damage that will get worse with use (i.e. a cover that will fall off the next time someone uses it, torn fold-out, broken sewing)
• Damage that affects how the book functions (i.e. pages that are stuck together, plate can’t be unfolded, textblock is split in half)

Please do not send the following to Conservation:

• Cosmetic “problems” that don’t affect functionality or cause damage to the item, i.e.
  • a cover that is worn or tatty but otherwise intact
  • dirty looking covers that aren’t sticky or rubbing off on nearby items
  • a single dog-eared or uncut page
• Uncatalogued Items
• Mold or suspected mold – please bring these items directly to conservation!