Reading books and collecting books are two very different passions. Whichever one is yours; you probably know by now that maintaining a healthy collection comes with certain demands. How difficult could it be? You just put them on a shelf, right? Believe it or not, it demands a little more attention than that.

Store them safely
Where to store your books? The obvious choice is to put them in a shelf. Getting the right shelf is important. Try to get a shelf with some sort of glass door. This will protect your books from dust and other environmental invasion. Open shelves will require dusting more frequently.

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

Regular dusting
Cleaning your books regularly is important. Dust them as often as possible. Try to ensure that they are not left in a humid environment. Ensure that insects and mites are not playing around your books.

Keep a database
If you have started collecting books, you should start with your database as soon as possible. There are a number of free library management software available on the Internet. You can just build your own database with some basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel as well.
Keeping an electronic database helps you track your books. If someone borrows a book, you can easily keep it in the database so you do not end up losing them. If an electronic database is too complicated for you, there's always the option of keeping a book register like the good old days.

Get them in the sun (carefully)
At least once every few years, one should get the books out in the sun. This is important to keep them in healthy condition considering the weather in our country. Moisture can really damage your book. However, direct sunlight exposure for a long time should be avoided. If you have collectible books, avoid getting them in the sun.

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

Repair them
Getting second hand books are perfectly fine. Some people prefer them because of the affordable price and because they usually have a history. But they are often damaged in some way. Sometimes, we damage new books by accident. If you damage a book, do not just leave it that way. Over time, it's only going to get worse. Repair your damaged books as soon as possible. Whether you seek professional help for that or have repairing kits at home, that's up to you but do not let damaged books sit idly.

Use bookmarks
Most book lovers are very sensitive about their collection and any sort of mark or damage to the pages are equal to a stab in their heart. Folding the pages might not seem like a big issue, but they leave a mark and it lingers. If you want to protect your books, you should use a bookmark.
Books are nothing short of portals to a whole new world. Such an object deserves all the love and reverence. You can show yours by caring for them properly.