Are you interested in purchasing products that can help staff, patrons and students use collections safely? Below is a list of supplies that Harvard Library Preservation Services recommends.
String weights (Lead hem weight, 200 grams per meter)
For reading room and staff use to hold books open on foam wedges
http://www.gbinteriors.co.uk/acatalog/Lead-Hem-Tape-LTB.html#SID=277
Pricing (2017): £63.00 for 20 meter roll (not including shipping, which can be costly since the item is quite heavy)
Bag Weight 1/2 Lb - (2” X 3”)
For reading room and staff use to hold books open, and to keep foldouts open on support boards
http://www.talasonline.com/Bag-Weights?custcol_matrix_weight=108
Item code: TTS061001
Pricing (2017): $9.25 each
Cardstock lifters
For reading room and staff use to turn fragile pages without damaging the paper
Custom order through Preservation Services
Dust bunny cloths (chemical-free, lint-free, washable cleaning cloths)
For staff use to remove dust from shelves, tables, etc. Please do not use on collection materials.
http://www.conservationsupportsystems.com/product/show/dust-bunny/wiping-materials
Item code: CL-27038
Pricing (2017): $8.95 each
Gloves (nitrile)
For reading room and staff use to protect photographs and metal objects from salts and oils on human hands; also may be used as personal protective equipment, but that is outside of the Careful Handling scope
https://us.vwr.com/store/product/4541054/touch-n-tuff-92-600-nitrile-gloves-powder-free-ansell
Touch N Tuff® 92-600, Nitrile Gloves, Powder-Free, Ansell; small, medium, large, xlarge;
Item code: 34800-500
Pricing (2017): pack of 100 for $30.90
Tying tape (unbleached cotton, .625" width)
For staff use to temporarily keep loose parts of a book together prior to rehousing or treatment
https://www.universityproducts.com/unbleached-cotton-tying-tape.html
Item code: 586-1058
Pricing (2017): $84.60 for spool of 1000 yards
Lifters (palette knives)
For reading room and staff use to aid in turning pages of a book or separating thin/fragile sheets of paper in archival collections
http://www.dickblick.com/items/03105-0000/
Item code: 03105-0000, Richeson Plastic Painting Knife, 3" Trowel Offset
Pricing (2017): $1.65 each
Foam book wedges
For reading room and staff use to prevent binding damage
Custom order through Preservation Services
Plexi rectangles - 1/4"thick x 3" x 12"
For reading room and staff use to support creases when unfolding or unrolling flat items
Custom order through Preservation Services
Red rot placemats
For reading room and staff use to prevent red rot from staining foams or other surfaces
Custom order through Preservation Services
Coroplast board supports
For staff use to remove folders and flat items from flat file drawers, to move large flat items from place to place, and to turn over large flat items
Custom order through Preservation Services
Mat board or gray-white board supports
For holding hinged-lid boxes open, or for supporting foldouts
Custom order through Preservation Services
Covers for red book trucks and wheeled MetroCarts
For staff use to keep precipitation off collections that are being moved outdoors on book trucks
Custom order through Preservation Services
Rain Catchers (absorbent pads)
For inside hinged-lid bins to protect contents from weather-related drips. Stored at HD (email HD_circulation
Reuse clean, dry rain catchers; discard wet/smelly/ripped ones.
Fluffy side faces up, plastic side faces the collection items.
Custom order through Preservation Services