Keep materials in processing areas stored safely on shelves and work surfaces. Provide shelving, book trucks, or tables at all public photocopy machines. Handling Remove books from the shelf with care, one at a time. Place fingertips on the text block and tip the book out rather than tugging at the spine, which can be easily torn or broken. When retrieving large items such maps and posters from flat file drawers, first remove all materials above them.
Paper can tear when dragged out from under heavy materials.
Handle microfilm, photographs, disks, and tapes by their edges and wear cotton gloves whenever feasible. Keep microfilm readers, tape decks, VCRs, and other reading and playback equipment clean and in good operating order. Use flat cotton tape to tie loose materials together or to temporarily stabilize bindings. Rubber bands crush fragile paper and board, and as the age, can leave behind stains and gummy residue. Route damaged materials to preservation staff.