Books -- don't you just love 'em!  The American Institute for Conservation has ideas for how to maintain your collection.  The book is an ingenious invention. Compact and portable, it has been the primary means of transmitting and preserving mankind’s accumulated knowledge for hundreds of years. Throughout that time, printers and bookbinders have used a wide variety of materials and structures. Some have proven to be remarkably durable; others have been vulnerable to chemical deterioration and mechanical stress. While these problems can be quite complex, a few simple preventive measures can greatly extend the life of a book. A great deal of damage to books comes from improper environmental conditions, shelving, storage, handling and use, and can be avoided by following basic, commonsense recommendations for preserving books and book collections.