Preserve & Protect
All of the hoopla surrounding the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows inspired me to pull out some of my favorite books of childhood: Black Beauty, A Wrinkle in Time, Little Women. But my copies of some of these classics are starting to show significant wear and tear. Where to turn? The Library of Congress website has lots of information about preserving and storing all kinds of treasured items: books, photographs, newspaper clippings, etc. There are tips for cleaning and recovery of documents damaged by water, mold, smoke and other contaminants, and resources for finding a professional conservator. More preservation advice is available through the Northeast Document Conservation Center.