Books are feeling the heat too. This week, numerous paperbacks in Brooklyn bookstores have been curling up on their own, a rather dramatic display of the warmth and stickiness that has enveloped New York City.
Last week, the metro area faced a combination of high humidity and heat indexes surpassing 90 degrees, creating sluggish and oppressive conditions that left an impact on many.
At McNally Jackson’s City Point location, shelves of paperback books showed signs of distress, with some covers nearly peeling off entirely.
This isn’t an isolated incident, as noted by Rebeccafifield, the Associate Director of Collection Management at the New York Public Library. “Books are what we call moisture-absorbing objects. They react to their environment, absorbing and releasing moisture,” she explained. It’s not just the heat—humidity plays a major role as well.
“This can lead to distortion in the book, affecting the paper and the adhesives used in binding,” she added, noting that while curling isn’t ideal, more severe consequences such as mold and insect issues are far more concerning.
Mold can creep in between damp pages, making it a cozy home for pests like silverfish. Conservators at the NYPL and other institutions keep a close eye on airflow to mitigate these risks.
For instance, special collections in libraries are maintained at a stable 60 degrees, with humidity levels kept between 35-55%. This controlled environment not only prevents pests but also helps preserve classic and original works.
“Low moisture levels keep insects at bay and prevent mold from developing,” Fifield continued.
The silver lining? Curled books are expected to return to their original shape when humidity decreases, though they may show a few new wrinkles along the edges. It’s uncertain whether McNally Jackson was experiencing airflow problems this week, as they did not reply to inquiries for clarification.
