Hobbies And Interests
Instructions
When you purchase a new or used book, immediately remove the glue-backed price tag and gently remove any residue that remains on the book.
Remove any items that may have been left in used books, such as papers, old photos or bookmarks. For new books, it is best not to keep papers, photos or the sales receipt inside the book. Many times collectors will clip an article about the author or the topic of the book and place it inside the book. As the article ages, the print may transfer to the book pages or the paper will stick to the book page. Depending on the thickness of the paper or newspaper clip, it could also damage the spine.
Buy a book cover to put over the book's jacket. Several types of book covers are available at relatively low prices, including slip-on covers, center-split covers that wrap around the book jacket, ultra-clear polyester film or white-backing paper.
Get bindings and spines professionally repaired. The spine's hinge may need to be tightened at the top or bottom, or loose pages may need to be reattached.
Do not write or highlight text in the book. Any marks will decrease the book's value if you try to resell it.
Keep books in an upright position in a book shelf or case to take undue pressure off of the spine of the book. Try not to stack books on top of each other, as the spines and covers of the books at the bottom of the stack will be damaged.
Keep your books in a cool, dry room out of direct sunlight. Dampness and sunlight can sometimes damage books beyond repair.
Keep good records of where, when, who, why and how much you paid for each book, plus any repairs you may have made. This will help you substantiate any future asking price.