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Foto: Erfgoedbibliotheek Hendrik Conscience

Precious items

A few rules of thumb to consult rare books or valuable items.

  • Work with clean and dry hands. Don’t wear any jewellery.
  • Use a suitable support.
  • Open the books in the middle first. Never use force to open a book if it doesn’t open automatically.
  • Flatten protruding pages by means of a lead string.
  • Always take the top right corner to turn a page. Support the page you turn with your flat hand.
  • Use acid free paper strips.
  • Don’t put anything on the books. Don’t stack the books too high.
  • Only use soft graphite pencils; no fountain pens, ball pens or any other writing material with ink.

Pillows and supporters, lead strings, pencils, paper and acid free paper strips are available at the reading room desk.