Acid catalyzes the hydrolysis of cellulose fibers, causing it to break down in structure, and resulting in darkening, brittle paper. If an old book you are interested in buying exhibits these characteristics, don't purchase it. De-acidification of books is a major problem for libraries. Due to the expense and difficulty involved, this work is better left to experts. However, for small projects, products can be purchased from archival supply companies that will work effectively.
Encapsulation protects the item from wear and mishap.
Round the corners off, and the job is complete. The next step is labeling and storage. Labels should be clearly marked with a number that corresponds to the inventory file. The inventory should include a description of the item. Storage containers should be made of acid-free products.