Taking Care

The books in the Louisbourg Library are in various states of repair -- some are in excellent condition, but, as expected due to their age, others are in deteriorating condition. Water damage, cuts, wormholes, spots, marginalia, detached covers, and broken spines are some of the conditions you expect to enounter when working with old books. For the most part, nothing has been done to alter these books. I have recommended (for a future project) that a condition evaluation assessment be conducted to determine what special care needs should be implemented to extend the lifespan of the books, and to select books that may be candidates for digitization.

Books in fragile condition or with detached covers have been wrapped in tissue paper and bound with tying tape. As well, the books are kept in secure cabinets that protect them from light, dust, and surprise environmental hazards such as the sprinklers going off. Visitors are not permitted to peruse the shelves as you normally can in a library to limit unnecessary handling of the books.

Please don't be discouraged from coming to see the books in person! These safeguards are in place to protect the books so that people can see them for many years to come. It is anticipated that more people will come to the Beaton Institute to see these rare and wonderful books. If there are any books that you wish to see, please contact the Beaton Institute prior to your visit.


Examples of book conditions from the Louisbourg Library

wormholes

spots

fragile condition