CARE AND PRESERVATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS:
As should not be shelved too tightly nor too loosely. The former damages the binding en other books are forceful inserted and the latter causes larger books to sag and to strain sewing. The public will also not respect books or keep them carefully if the staff are seen throwing books carelessly into heaps, or casually dropping them on the floor. A frequently overlooked point is the need for caution in opening new or newly bound books. If these books are too abruptly opened the glue on the spine or even the stitches will be strained and permanent weakness will result.
An important aspect of stock management is knowledge of conservation methods and preservation of library material. Conservation includes:
i) Prevention of deterioration and restoration of deteriorated library material, and
ii) Treatment, storage and handling techniques to ensure that the material remains in current state of preservation.
Manhandling, clumsy or excessive photocopying, injudicious rebinding and improper storage condition do great harm to the library stock. More than the library user it is the lower grade stay who due to lack of essential knowledge and careless handling inflict great amount of injury to library stock.