For Volumes and Flat Plans

This is the pattern for the dust jacket used at the Devon Record Office, to protect books and plans from dust and light, You will need to have a little manual dexterity, and a desire to preserve your books. Fine bindings on shelves, can be protected with book shoes, that are best purchased from a conservation supplier, they cover all sides except the spine.

Materials and Equipment needed:

Acid Free Manila Cardboard Long non-slip Ruler

Cutting Mat Bone Folder,

Scissors, Scalpel or Stanley Knife

Archival Ink Pen

1. Place item to be covered in the centre of a sheet of Manila large enough to overlap and cover it completely.
2. With a ruler and bone folder, indent ‘score’ lines with the bone folder along all four sides approx. 1/8" from item. Don't be tempted to be generous, you want to achieve a fairly snug fit otherwise the book will move around in the jacket causing abrasion.
3. With scissors, cut out the corner squares of the sheet taking a slightly diagonal line inside score edge, running into where the lines cross, see diagram.
4. Remove item and fold down each flap in turn and press down with the bone folder.
5. Open out again and replace book. Raise up each flap against the book in turn marking with the bone folder lying on the top of the book, onto the Manila, see diagram.
6. Remove book again and score lines parallel to original folds. Fold and press as before.
7. Replace book and fold over flaps (two by two) and trim if necessary. They should overlap by at least 3" , preferably more, achieving a snug/tidy fit.
8. Cut out 'Ears' on the corners of one of the overlapping flaps. Both sets. See template and diagram.
9. Fold ‘cover’ flaps over book again with ‘Ear’ flap uppermost on each overlap. Hold together snugly and mark with pen in the angle and along edge on each 'Ear', see diagram.
10. Unfold again and carefully cut with a scalpel between the two marks the under flap, on a cutting mat. These slits secure the cover when the 'Ears' are slotted into them.

With the Archival pen, mark the Title of the item on broadside, spine and edge of the jacket. If the item is flat, make the score lines a little further away, so that when the Manila is folded acutely, there will be room for the document. The depth of the jacket can be as little as ¼", or to a depth of 3".

Very large volumes are too heavy for Manila and a Millboard Box will be required. In the case of uneven depth from spine to fore-edge or metal locks protruding, adjustments can be made, with experience.

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