Storing Old Books at Home

The Climate: An Invisible Threat

One of the primary challenges for private book storage in Austria is relative humidity. Excessive moisture encourages the growth of mold and attracts insects, while too little humidity—often caused by modern central heating systems in Linz apartments—leads to leather becoming brittle and paper losing its flexibility.

A stable temperature of around 18 to 20 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 45% to 55% is recommended. Since this is difficult to maintain in standard living rooms, it is advisable not to store books directly against exterior walls, as condensation can form there, often leading to the typical brown foxing spots on the pages.

Light Protection and UV Radiation

Sunlight is a known enemy of ink and dyes. UV rays break the chemical bonds in paper and bindings, resulting in the fading of the spine and the yellowing of the pages.

Avoid placing shelves opposite large windows, even if they are equipped with curtains, as is common in the traditional buildings of Linz city center. Indirect light is sufficient. For particularly valuable pieces, we suggest storage in custom-made cases, which we produce in our workshop to ensure complete light protection.

Correct Positioning on the Shelf

The way a book stands influences its lifespan. Books should be placed vertically with moderate pressure against each other. If they stand too loosely, the spines may lean and warp under their own weight; if they are too tight, the binding can be damaged when pulling the book out.

Large formats or heavy folios should not be stored vertically, as gravity pulls the binding downwards, causing deformation of the book block. These volumes are better stored lying flat, ideally on acid-free paper or specialized archival cardboard.

Pest Prevention and Hygiene

Silverfish and booklice are not uncommon in older buildings. They feed on the starch in the binding glue and the cellulose of the paper. Regular inspection of your collection is therefore necessary.

Avoid storing books in basements or on unpainted attics. The conditions in these areas are often suitable for pests. If an infestation is noticed, professional cleaning and potentially a conservation treatment are required to protect the rest of the library.

Daily Care Checklist

When is Professional Help Necessary?

Despite careful prevention, time leaves its mark. If you notice that the book block is loosening, the leather is wearing away at the corners, or the pages are sticking due to moisture, it is time for professional intervention. Improper repair with commercial adhesives can destroy the permanent value of a book, as many modern glues are acidic and erode the paper over time.

In our workshop in Linz, we use only reversible materials and traditional techniques such as thread sewing to preserve the integrity of your works. Learn more about our Repair of Old Books to secure your treasures for future generations.