The Preservation Unit puts protective acid-free 2mil polyester covers on all hardbound books for the Popular Literature collections.
We start with one book and one cover.
An appropriately sized book jacket cover is chosen, the cover should be larger than the height of the book (No. 8 or No. 10 are ones we use).
The cover is flipped over and laid between the clear sheet and paper sheet of the book jacket cover.
The paper sheet of the book jacket is flipped down, ensuring that the top of the book cover is flush with the top of the book jacket cover.
The paper sheet is taped down to the transparent sheet.
It is important to ensure that the top of the cover is oriented towards the top of the book jacket fold.
The book is flipped over and the left side of the book is tucked between the paper book jacket sheet and the book cover, handling the book gently.
The taped plastic sheet is folded up against the book's fold.
The entire fold is taped.
The cover, still attached to the tucked book, is flipped over.
The cover is folded away from the tucked side and towards the spine of the book.
The side of the fold is creased. It is important to ensure that the fold is lined up, and that the back cover of the book is not placed on the inside of the book.
The crease should look like this:
The book is flipped over so that the front cover is down.
The other side of the dust jacket/book cover hybrid is folded over.
The book is tucked between the book cover/clear plastic sheet and the paper sheet.
The inside jacket is lined up with the edge of the book.
The book is flipped over and it is ensured that the fold is creased.
If the book is not staying flat, there is a solution. One nudges out the side of the second folded side of the book jacket.
The cover is folded down against the edge of the book.
The cover is creased.
A bone folder can be used.
And voilà, the book has been protected!