When there is an injury to a book which is allowed to remain in circulation, the reading public should be made aware that the damage is known to the library by a notation, with date, near the injury, e.g.,
"Damage noted 1 Mr. '20, Free Public Library."
WAYS TO CLEAN
The book should be cleaned as well as mended. Careful attention should be given to the cleanliness of the books in circulation. There is nothing that more quickly creates a distaste for the use of a public library than the handling of soiled and grimy books.
Careful study of the paper upon which books are printed is necessary, and in cleaning the fact that different papers and finishes require different treatment must be taken into account. The spongy feather-weight paper upon which much of the fiction is printed is difficult to clean. Pencil marks may be erased with art gum used gently; soil of any other kind is almost impossible to remove. Heavily clay-coated paper may be cleaned with powdered pumice or a hard eraser. Highly calendered paper and any hand made paper may be cleaned with a damp cloth; cleaning but a few pages at a time and allowing book to remain open until dry.
PAGES
Soiled pages may be cleaned in the following ways:
With art gum, rub gently and slowly, holding the page flat with the left hand to prevent tearing.
With powdered pumice stone, rub on with a clean cloth. With damp cloth, be careful that cloth is not too wet.
Rub always from inner margin of the page outward, to prevent crumpling.
Brush off carefully all particles of rubber, or pumice stone, allowing none to remain in the folds between the leaves.
Mud stains may be removed by using a soft brush or sponge, with a preparation of the following proportions: One cup water, one teaspoon ammonia, four drops carbolic acid. Avoid too much rubbing or print will blur. Slip the pressing tin under the page, and after washing, place white blotting paper on each side of the leaf.