Library books age and degrade over time and through constant use. Even though our building is temperature controlled to keep humidity low and the temperature fairly constant, paper still becomes brittle, spines crack, pages fall out, bindings need repair.

During the week of April 21-28, the American Library Association encourages libraries and other institutions to educate our constituencies about what we can do to preserve our personal and shared collections. Hekman Library circulation and technical services staff receive special training to learn how to repair books, and they work on this task throughout the year to make sure books do not remain off the shelves for too long. Sometimes a rare book or a particularly expensive one wll be sent out to a professional binder. You can help by taking good care of the books you check out of the library.  

Here are some links that will guide you to more information: Official ALA Preservation Week homepage and Preservation Week facebook site.