This document provides instructions for rehousing rare or fragile pamphlets in pre-fabricated four-flap enclosures and for preserving bookplates removed from old binders. The instructions include clipping pamphlet corners, folding and marking new covers, recording pamphlet condition, removing pamphlets from old covers, placing pamphlets in new covers, cleaning and reducing bookplate boards, drying bookplates between blotters, and attaching preserved bookplates to new binders. The document was written by Valinda S. Carroll, Preservation Manager at Harvey Library of Hampton University on April 3, 2013.

1. Rehousing Rare or fragile pamphlets
(pre-fabricated 4-flap enclosures)
1. Clip corners of pamphlet binder in corner rounder.
2. Fold and mark new cover to indicate orientation and flap sequence. Flap sequence may vary, if
Velcro, twill tapes, or other fasteners are used. In general, the tail edge and fore edge should be
closed first to secure the pamphlet.
3. Record condition of pamphlet and describe identifying markings on pamphlet (or on old binder)
on survey form.
4. Remove pamphlet from cover by cutting tape with scalpel. Be careful to cut the tape without
cutting into the spine fold of the pamphlet.
5. Place pamphlet into new cover.
Removal of bookplate from old binder:
The bookplates with useful provenance information (accession number and or donor information)
should be retained. If possible, it is best to retain the original plate, rather than a copy. If the original
cannot be retained, then a copy can be made on Permalife or similar paper.
Procedure for preserving bookplates:
1. Clean with grated vinyl erasers, if necessary. Omit this step if graphite inscriptions are present.
2. Cut down perimeter of board to reduce excess, leaving a border of no more than 5mm around
book plate.
3. Using Casselli spatula, scalpels, and dental tools, reduce the thickness of the board. If possible,
split the board to remove the outer layer before scraping the board.
4. After the board thickness has been reduced, soften the remaining layers of board with deionized
water and aqueous poultices of methylcellulose (Methocel A4M).
5. Dry the bookplate unrestrained within a Hollytex and blotter sandwich.
6. OPTIONAL: Line the bookplate with kozo paper and dilute zen shofu precipitated wheat starch
paste (or a mixture of paste and methylcellulose). Dry the lined bookplate within a Hollytex and
blotter sandwich under weight. Rotate damp blotters with fresh, dry blotters in order to
improve drying.
7. Humidify and flatten between blotters, as needed.
8. Attach to new binder, four-flap enclosure, or box. Use white, acid free paper photo corners,
hinge or tip onto board. If bookplate must be attached to binder without removal of acidic
board, then place bookplate into Melinex pocket.
Valinda S. Carroll 4/3/2013
Preservation Manager
Harvey Library
Hampton University