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* This exhibit is no longer on display *
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All of the material displayed here represent A FORM OF BOOK MUTILATION. The stains, bookmarks, highlighting, spine damage, water damage and cut-outs were all done intentionally by library patrons. While this may seem too incredible to be true - it is in fact a regular occurance. Everyday library materials are being damaged knowingly. Whether a book is left on a sofa where the family pet can easily access it, or a cup of coffee is casually placed onto a journal - it is damage which could have been prevented if the user was more careful and treated the library material with respect. Then there are users who fully understand the consequences of their actions. Taking a highlighter to a book, or cutting out articles or photos involves a clear thought process - and tools. These people know that the books and journals they are destroying may never be repaired. |
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HIGHLIGHTING Highlighting or writing notes into the text causes permanent damage. This book cannot be repaired. Patrons should never treat library books as if they own them. These books are in the library to benefit everyone and should be treated as such. |
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CUT OUTS There are some incredibly beautiful books available at the University of Chicago - much like the book below. However, one patron decided to ruin the enjoyment and academic benefits of this book by cutting out pictures and pieces of text. Most books cannot be repaired and must be replaced. Books and journals, which are highly illustrated, are also very expensive. |
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PET BITES While people rarely "feed" library materials to their pets, they do often unknowingly make them easily accessible. Dog owners might tuck their shoes in their closets to protect them from Fido, they do not always think to protect library books in a similar way. Keep library material safe and out of harms way. |
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STAINS Once coffee or coke or food has been spilled onto a book, it will never be removed. Stains can cause permanent damage. Furthermore, not only are the pages grossly discolored, but also the stains can lead to mould or cause the pages to stick together. The best way to prevent staining is to avoid eating and drinking around library material. |
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DAMAGED SPINE 1. Many library users are unaware of the proper way to remove a book from the shelf. Pulling the book by the top of the spine separates the binding from the text itself, causing significant damage. When pulling a book or journal from the shelf, push the other books back so that you have enough spine to grab. Pull by the mid-section. |
| 2. When making photocopies do not press down hard on the book or journal. If you do so you can damage the binding or break fragile pages. Look for "Book Photocopier" in the library. Theses are special "edge" photocopiers which provide a slanted edge on one side of the photocopying platform. This allows you to copy one side of the book to at a time while the other side rests comfortably without damage. "Book Photocopiers" are available in the Crerar Library. "Book Photocopiers" are available in the Crerar Library. | |
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WATER DAMAGE One glass of water is all that it takes to destroy a book or journal. Once water penetrates the pages it can cause staining. It can also warp and/or swell the pages of the book, weaken the glue, which holds the book together, and promote mold and mildew. Often books cannot be repaired from this kind of damage. |
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For more information about exhibits
at the John Crerar Library, please contact Barbara Kern
at 773-702-8717 or bkern@midway.uchicago.edu.