Protect Rare Books with Custom Museum Book Shelving

Rare Book Storage Best Practices

Great care and consideration must be taken when storing rare books to avoid accelerating deterioration and create a safe long-term storage environment. Rare books are typically stored on shelves or in archival boxes. Best practices for rare book storage include the following:

• Books on shelves should be stored upright and packed loosely enough that a book can be removed without putting pressure on the binding.
• Avoid stacking books for prolonged periods.
• Store books of the same size together for maximum support and minimal risk of indentation.
• Large books (over 18″ high or 3″ wide) are best stored lying flat and should be stacked no more than three high.
• When storing rare books in archival boxes, be sure to use acid- and lignin-free boxes.
• Especially fragile books should be stored in custom-made, acid-free book boxes sized to the book.

Museum book storage should also protect rare books from agents of deterioration, including dust, light, insects, rodents, water, and fire. Best practices for preserving rare books against these factors include the following:

• Books should be stored at a temperature of 65°F to 70°F with a relative humidity level between 40%-55%. Temperature and relative humidity levels should remain as stable as possible.
• Minimize exposure to ultraviolet light, especially direct sunlight.
• Dust books regularly and gently, particularly at the top of the book, where dust often collects.
• Shelving for rare books should be ventilated to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
• Routinely inspect storage areas and maintain good housekeeping practices to reduce the risk of pest infestations.

Compact Shelving for Rare Book Storage

Compact shelving, also known as high-density shelving or mobile shelving, is an ideal storage solution for rare books. This sliding storage system can double your existing footprint’s storage capacity, making it perfect for museums with limited space for storing rare book collections.

In a compact storage system, shelving units mount on mobile carriages that slide on floor rails, compacting together when not in use to reclaim the wasted space of static aisles. Using a mechanical-assist handle or electronic push-button operation, museum personnel can easily open a movable aisle to access shelves as needed. Since rare books typically aren’t accessed very frequently, a compact shelving system is a sensible storage solution for these collections.

Compact storage systems are also remarkably versatile. You can incorporate your existing shelving units into a compact system or invest in new shelving that facilitates better organization and preservation of your rare books. Mix shelving with flat file drawers to appropriately store books of all sizes, or customize your shelving system with security features that suit the needs of your collection. And for museums or libraries that utilize high bay shelving for rare book storage, those shelving systems can also be converted into compact storage for maximum space efficiency. Visit our online store to see our museum storage products.

Benefits of Compact Rare Book Storage

Protects Rare Books

When storing rare books, preservation is the top priority. Compact storage systems can be custom-designed to create the best possible storage environment for your rare book collection and protect stored books from common threats. Protective features of compact storage systems include the following:

• Perforated shelving provides optimal ventilation, environmental control, and visibility for early fire detection.
• Steel shelving units feature a non-off-gassing finish to meet museum standards and protect manuscripts from contamination.
• The compact nature of the system protects stored books from light exposure and dust when the system is closed.
• Floorless compact systems raise stored books off the ground to keep them safer from pests and reduce the risk of water damage in the case of flooding.
• The entire compact system locks to keep your rare book collection secure.       

Saves Space

Some museums have hundreds of thousands of rare books in their collections, and making the most efficient use of space possible when storing extensive book collections is essential. Compact storage systems are designed to maximize your rare book storage capacity. By eliminating static aisles, these solutions can double your storage capacity in your existing footprint or cut your space requirements in half.

Saves Money

Climate-controlled storage space for rare books is costly to maintain. Because compact storage systems reduce your storage space requirements and save you money. For museums running low on space, a compact shelving system may eliminate the need for an expensive expansion or a move to an off-site storage facility. Read more about the benefits of compact storage systems for museums here.