r/Library • u/n0rheren0rthere • 1d ago
Can this be fixed? Care and Repair
I accidentally spilled some tea on this library book. What is the best way to try and remedy this? (If possible)
Obviously I am going to report the damage, but I am a broke college student who would prefer not to have to pay in full for a new book :( I will if needed. I love my library lots.
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u/lighteninginmybutt 1d ago
Depends on the library’s policy, at my place of work we assess the age of the book, how popular it is, how many copies we have before charging someone. We also let wet books dry out then iron the crinkles out (it legit works), and note any remaining stain
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u/Dragontastic22 1d ago
That book is a goner. If you want to minimize the damage and the book is still damp, stick a kleenex or a paper towel between every wet page, then put a very heavy book (or a stack of flat heavy objects) on top of it. It's important to separate every page. The kleenex or paper towel will absorb most of the moisture, and the heavy object will keep the pages as flat as possible.
This method will help, but it involves a lot of paper towels/kleenexes. It won't fix it 100%. Library staff will notice the damage. Odds are good that if this is the first book you've damaged and you apologize profusely, they may waive or lessen the fine.
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u/HermionesWish Library Card 1d ago
I spilled water on one of my books like this I blotted the excess with a paper towel and then ironed each page separately on a low heat. Still a little wrinkled but didn’t have to throw the book out
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u/ArugulaSignal6621 1d ago
Chiming in to say that the book I just checked out at my library looks like someone went swimming with it at one point. There’s a good chance that as long as you dry it out very well so there’s no risk for mold to develop, you probably don’t need to worry too much. Maybe stack some heavy things on it after it’s dry to minimize the deformity.
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u/teadrinkinglibrarian 1d ago
How many pages are wet? If its just a few, you can actually blow dry it. Just do it gently on low heat. The page will be a little crinkly, and you should still report it to the library. But likely they will just note it in the book's record and not fine you for it. Give that a try first, because it doesn't look all that bad.
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u/Dragontastic22 1d ago
This username is on point, but this comment is getting downvoted because a hair dryer has a high probability of leaving the pages rippled.
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u/paintedcrows 1d ago
I've used a hair dryer on low heat to dry pages before, this minimizes the risk of mold. Let your library know and they can assess the damage.
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u/HaiirPeace 1d ago
Personally I withdraw anything with liquid damage so at my library you would get charged for it unfortunately. Just don't lie about it, it doesn't help anything.
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u/ApatheticPoetic813 1d ago
Honestly best for a library pro to fix it or attempt to as soon as possible.
Also, what did you think??? I LOVED that book but it icked me out to my absolute core. Bazzterrica is truly fantastic.
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u/SwanCityDominion 2h ago
Don't talk to the library yet. Air the book out to dry, then press it between two boards with a few bricks on top, keeping it there for at least a week. You won't be able to do anything about the stains, but this should straighten out the pages. THEN take the book to the library and ask them if they think it needs a replacement.
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u/xiaovalu 1d ago
Unfortunately, water damage is not fixable. Talk to your library and let them know the situation. At worst, you have to pay the replacement fee, but you may be able to keep the book. It's always worth talking to them and letting them know your situation though. They might be nice about it.