How to store books in a bookshelf

Submitted by Clemmutine t3_11vwpcy in books

I've been growing my book collection and I really want to sit them up on my book shelf to admire them. But the thing is they are exposed to sunlight and sat upright. I know if you sit them upright they can warp and if you leave them exposed to sunlight they turn yellow. So how can I store my books in my room in a way where I can still admire them and keep them in good condition for a longer time? Or is it just a lost cause and I have to accept the fact they will worsen under my conditions?

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Jessicamorrell t1_jcvhvln wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#2,273,369)

2nd this. You can buy some from Walmart or even order them on Amazon. Other stores like Big Lots and Target sell them too and I think I saw some at Ollie's which is a discount store awhile back. They are usually inexpensive. I use them for my migraines so I have them in my bedroom and the livingroom.

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AnodyneRain t1_jcvlrae wrote

If you have the room, you can try to re-arrange the area and have the shelf face away from the windows, so that way they won't get sun bleached.

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chortlingabacus t1_jcvn4gt wrote

Simple enough. Unless you've many bookcases, move the ones you have to north walls. (Fwiw, I've many many bookcases & live in a place where in summer there is prolonged northern sunlight but I've never been over-bothered about fading spines for the most part; I don't like to see the effects of glare on art & design books spines, but I lower the blinds on west side of house in late summer afternoons for my own benefit anyway.)

They won't warp if you put them between firmly placed bookends or better still when you have enough books to fill a shelf with books that will cheerfully provide support to their neighbours.

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Handyandy58 t1_jcvn76n wrote

Rearrange the room, or simply do not worry about it.

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Clemmutine OP t1_jcvno99 wrote

Replying to Handyandy58 (#2,273,972)

Given the fact that i dont 100% like the idea of re-arranging my room, I think i will just tell my brain to shut up and let it go. Hopefully somebody does have an idea that i can carry out though lmao

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XwitchedX t1_jcvoazb wrote

You could look into adding door/s to the bookcase. And they make "UV protection plexiglass"(the same things they use in jersey shadow boxes) and you could add that as the glass. It will be light weight, and protect the books at the same time❤️

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Clemmutine OP t1_jcvolsv wrote

Replying to chortlingabacus (#2,273,963)

I only have 1 book case to accommodate for 2 series of books (1 of the series is very long) that i have, plus some other random books i've read. But i'll have to think about re-arranging it.

And thank god, luckly the books will be able to fit tightly next to eachother once i (hopefully) get the entire collection. Glad to know the warping issue is solved.

Thank youu!!!!

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lucia-pacciola t1_jcz1scf wrote

Use bookends to hold books straight so they don't warp.

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impossiblysc t1_jczpqt0 wrote

When I worked at a library we covered all the books, and it's relatively easy to do yourself I think, you would just need clear contact paper for paperbacks, I'm not sure about hardcover paper covers though, we covered them with this clear plastic thing

I'm not sure quite how to explain it without pictures but if you look up how libraries cover books you might find something

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Clemmutine OP t1_jd20r4x wrote

Replying to XwitchedX (#2,277,556)

Im not sure if you'll be able to answer this question but i was wondering if i took some scrap fabric (cloth material) and hung it over the books that are exposed to the sun, would that protect them? Or would it do nothing at all?

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