Using a bookrest with original archive volumes

Using a bookrest
with original archive volumes
Please read the accompanying handling guidelines before using any archive material.
A book rest should be used when consulting all archive volumes such as log books, minute
books, ledgers and notebooks.
The rest is designed to support the weight of the volume and protect the spine from damage.
If in any doubt, a member of library or archive staff will be happy to help you.
The central spinal wedge
should be used to support
volumes with a stitched spine
and moulded cover, such as
in the example overleaf.
Where a volume does not
have a spine cover (i.e.
where the pages are bound
by glue into the cover jacket
like a modern journal or
notebook) the central spine is
not required.
Use the individual foam
rectangles to raise the height of
either side of the rest in order to
support the spine appropriately
(see over).
Place the volume onto the book rest so that the weight of the volume is taken by the right and left
hand wedges of the support rather than by the spine of the volume.
Drape the lead snake weights carefully over the corners of pages to hold them down.