According to The care of fine books  /   Jane Greenfield; New York: Lyons & Burford,c1988, page 60-61 in the section “Bookshelves, finishing”:  use a “solvent-based acrylic paint or  solvent-based acrylic varnish to finish them.”  She recommends “a primer and two or three coats of paint or varnish, covering all areas of shelving including the ends of the boards.  Allow the finish to dry thoroughly before shelving books.”

 

There is some other good advice in the book relevant to a private library. 

 

 

Hi all,

 

I had an interesting question put to me this morning that I had no idea how to answer.  There was a couple that came in who are rehabbing an old home.  They have stripped layers of old paint off of some built-in shelves in their home library and were wondering what would be the best finish to use so they would not harm their book collection.  I know nothing about harmful finishes and have only dealt with standard library bookcases.  Does anyone out their have any experience with this, or know of a resource to point them to on the subject? 

 

Thanks,

 

Joy

 

Joy Wright, MLIS

Laumeier Sculpture Park Library

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www.laumeier.org