Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-05
The Care of Books.
BY ELIZABETH LEE.

To take proper care Of library is no
small task, for one must be ever on the
watch for such enemies as insects. mold,
etc, while spots and blotches will make
their appearance on covers and leaves in
the most unaccountable way, to say
nothing of the daily collection of dust and
CRIME.
1t is easier to prevent mold from form
ing than it is to remove II once IT has
made its appearance. So, when the books
should be given a spraying. going all
over with atomiZer filled with oil OF
cedar. This will preserve paper from
dampness. Almost any perfumed essen
tial oils. as lavender. pennyroyal, ETC..
may be used, but the oil of cedar is more
pleasant than some of the other oils.
Any kind. however, may be added to
library paste and SO keep it from mold
ing.
The tiny silvery insect. something like
fish in shape, takes up its abode among
books which are seldom used. and pref
bly, those in dark corners
These insects do not eat the paper. as
most people suppose, but they love starch
and sizing. and so often attack highly
glazed paper to get at the sizing used.
They also eat the starch used In the
composition paste which binds the books
Almost every owner of books has been
surprised at some time or another to find
book (put away in perfect condition.
after long period Of rest with covers
and contents almost apart. and wonder
why. The chances are the little insects
have been at work
To keep them away there is nothing
better than Persian powder sprinkled lib
orally upon the shelves.
They do not like this at ALL If the
books are brought Well forward upon the
shelves there will usually be found room
at the back for the powder. 1t would be
both unsightly and inconvenient II placed
where the powder could be seem
Grease spots can be removed by cover
ing the spot with f,lller's earth or French
chalk, and then touching it with hot
iron, using bit of wrapping paper be-
tween the iron and the powder. Another
method is to make the spot quite warm
and then try to take up with blotting pa
per. The little which refuses to absorb
will generally disappear II rubbed with
rag dipped in alcohol.
Ink stains on book pages may be re-
moved by rubbing with large crystal OF
tartaric acid dipped in water. Only
slight rubbing is necessary Otherwise the
paper is apt to be broken. Two applica-
tons may be required. After the ink is
removed dry as quickly as possible with
blOtttng paper.
Book covers may be cleaned to look al
most as good as new by first rubbing
with a slice Of soft bread or the art gum
(Which can be bought for a few pennies
at any art or department store) to take
off the loose dirt and then laying q thick
paper slightly dampened with oxalic acid
on the cover. This should be pressed with
a hot iron. The paper must be damp
only. not wet.
When the edges of the book have be-
come sofled they can be freshened by
rubbing with fine sandpaper.
To mend torn leaves neatly use strips of
tracing paper put on with paste made
by boiling rice to pulp. Both paste and
paper being transparent. the rent will
scarcely be noticeable.
When books. documents or papers gen.
orally are to be stored away IL is q good
plan to sprinkle a few cedar shavings into
the box. adding small Jumps Of capphor
also.