A book that has already been loved once tends to have a little more character than a brand new one. A soft spine, a name pencilled inside the cover, the faint memory of jam on page twelve. None of that stops a good story doing its job. With a bit of care, a pre-loved book can keep going for years and find its way to the next reader in fine shape.
Treat the spine kindly
The spine is the part that does the hardest work, so it pays to be gentle with it. When you open a new-to-you book, ease it open rather than cracking it flat across your knee. With little ones, show them how to turn pages from the top corner instead of grabbing a fistful in the middle. A few minutes of showing how is worth a hundred reminders later on.
If a page does come loose, a thin strip of archival tape on the inside hinge will hold it without yellowing over time. Sticky tape from the kitchen drawer feels handy in the moment, but it tends to go brittle and brown, so it is worth keeping a roll of the proper stuff nearby for little repairs.
Mind the everyday hazards
Most damage is not dramatic. It is the slow stuff: damp, sunlight and being left somewhere the dog can reach. Keep books off windowsills where the sun fades covers, and away from the bathroom where steam curls the pages. A simple shelf at child height does more good than any fancy storage, because a book that is easy to put away is a book that actually gets put away.
Crumbs and spills are part of family life, so a quick wipe of sticky hands before reading saves a lot of grief. If a cover does get marked, a barely damp cloth and a light touch usually lifts it. Avoid soaking the page, and let anything that gets wet dry flat with the cover open.
Pass it on in good nick
When your child has outgrown a title, a quick once-over keeps it ready for someone else. Rub out the pencil scribbles, smooth any dog-eared corners and check nothing is tucked between the pages. A book in tidy condition is a joy for the next family to find, and looking after it is part of the pleasure of owning it in the first place.
That is really the whole idea behind what we do, and you can read more about it on our about page. Every gently used book we sell for between $5 and $10 has been cared for so it can be enjoyed again, with the proceeds going to a good cause. If you have a shelf that needs refreshing, come and browse our shelves and pick out a few well-kept favourites to bring home.