I buy a lot of used books and they often include ex-library copies. I love going to library sales and buying piles of books for a buck but I also want them to look somewhat uniform on my shelves. Yesterday I was asked about removing dust jacket covers so I figured this would be the perfect topic for a tips and tricks post.
Removing Dust Jacket Protectors:
This can be really easy or really hard depending on what the library uses to secure the cover to the book. I prefer libraries that use the tape.
For Tape Removal-
- Peel the tape off the dust jacket over side only. Do not try to remove the tape from the book. IT will tear the cover.
- Once the jacket is loose, fold the tape under it so it sticks to the book itself. You most likely cannot remove it entirely without causing damage.
- Slide the dust cover out of the protector through the open end.
For Glue:
Glue is much more difficult. You may have to decide if you’re ok with a little damage to the inside of the book. It will be covered by the dust jacket or you can cover it with a matching paper to the end papers. I usually pry the dust jacket off with a sharp knife to minimize damage. You can then slide the jacket out of the protector like you normally would.
Removing Library Markings:
Ex-Library books come with tons of stickers, and if you’re like me it will drive you nuts. Here are some ways to get rid of those stickers so your books will match your collection a little bit better.
- You can try peeling the stickers off slowly, if you see the sticker starting to tear then move on to a different corner.
- If that doesn’t work you can use a hair dryer to melt the glue holding the sticker on to the book. This may take several minutes so be patient.
- Some people use baby oil on stickers. I have not gotten this method to work very well as it leave the sticker glue behind.
- If none of these work you may want to invest in some goo-gone.
Good tips! I've always been afraid to cause more damage to the book so I haven't removed library stuff very often. Sometimes used book store stickers are annoying too, but those typically peel off easier.
True, try the hair dryer on the stubborn ones. It works really well.
You need to show how to remove Library protectors the next time we meet!! They drive me insane. I had no idea you knew how. Great post!
Oh it's really easy. I'll show you. I used to put them on the books at the Berg library for work study, that's how I learned.
I hate stickers on books. Good tips. Also, lighter fluid is great at removing leftover stickyness.
Oh yes, that does work pretty well. Thanks for reminding me of that one.
I despise when companies use really sticky stickers on books. I typically use a lighter to remove them, since I can't stand the noise of a hairdryer. You just move the flame over the sticker for about 30 seconds or so. Don't let it stay in one spot or you'll end up with a burn mark. It sounds crazy but it works.
Like the hair dryer, it probably melts the sticker glue. But I'm incompetent with a lighter so…
Not going to lie I'm glad you tagged me on this post on Twitter a while ago because I just got a few ex library books today and was having issues removing the stickers. I discovered nail polish remover works really well. (It was the only thing in my apartment left from the last intern.)
I was hoping to find someone who’d found a way to remove edge stamping from the pages. I’ve had limited success by fanning the edges and using medium grit glass-paper. For ink stamps on pages, fine grade abrasive. As to sticky labels, I’d not thought of heat. A chef’s blowtorch would seem to be a good idea in that case. With regard to solvents, I use a whole range of them as adhesives vary enormously. Petrol, surgical spirit, nail-polish remover, methylated spirit etc.
No one seems to want to address removing white numbers, letters, and such from book spines. Can it be done?
I’d like an answer to this question, too.