Opening that NEW BOOK

Ok, so you bought a NEW BOOK. Yes, it does deserve capital letters because someone wrote it and you were intrigued enough to buy it. Ok, perhaps it belongs to a library. The Mercer County Library System catalogs over 45,000 NEW BOOKS each year!  That’s correct. Over 45,000. As a library patron you are able to have up to 75 items checked out on your card!  Pretty cool. They are available for you, your friends and your neighbors to read and enjoy. All we ask is that when you do check them out, please treat them with respect. We want as many people to enjoy the collection as possible.

Now, the way you initially open a book will determine the life of that book and your enjoyment of it.

Is that a sweeping generalization? Nope. You and your book can grow old together if you open it with a bit of care, caution and affection.

So…given that you love to read and you love books, here’s a way to initiate a beautiful relationship with them…

1. Place your new friend spine down on a flat surface with the spine perpendicular to you. Only the spine should be touching the table.
2. Open the front cover with your left hand while holding the book with your right and gently press along the hinge (the crease where the front page bends).
3. Do the same with the back cover (switching hands to hold the block of pages). Keep the front cover open.
4. Now, open a few pages at the front of the book and gently press where the pages join.
5. Repeat the previous step at the back of the book.
6. Continue this front to back process until you reach the center of the book.
7. Repeat from step 1.
8. One more time.
9. And again, for luck…

I know. It seems like such a silly thing to do. It’s a book. There are more copies. It’s yours. It’s not yours.

That doesn’t matter. What does matter is that the book won’t fall apart as you or someone else is reading it.

Not enough? Ok. It’s your book. It may be a first edition and you will want to sell it one day. It will be worth more in better condition.

By doing these few simple steps, not only will you extend the life of the book - making reading the book a more pleasant experience - but you will lessen my work load!  I mend books in the library. I like my job. I love books.

Your books will thank you for years to come.

Come to one of the nine branches of the Mercer County Library System, check out a new book and try this dandy book-saving aid!

HAPPY READING!

P.S. If you google “opening a new book safely” you can watch videos of someone actually using this method! How cool is that? Very? Yes, I agree.

- Jerry, Lawrence Headquarters Branch