Replica book panels

Watch out…….book enemies about!!

Although it appears to have finally stopped raining in Sydney,  the recent moisture levels have not been kind to our book collections. In 1880 William Blades, author of The enemies of books, wrote” treat books as you should your own children, who are sure to sicken if confined in an atmosphere which is impure, too hot, too cold, too damp or too dry”.

Apart from fire, water (both in the forms of liquid and vapour ) is the biggest enemy to our precious collections, and we have certainly been getting it in both forms in Sydney of late. Whether you own volumes which are the envy of the Bodleian Library, or a rather more modest selection that you are caring for in order to hand down to the grand children, care must be taken in order to preserve and protect them.

If you are lucky enough to not have your collection hanging from the washing line as we speak, but may be experiencing a musty smell and fuzzy spores are appearing on your books, then action is required.

Mould develops due to poor air circulation and too much humidity. Mould spores can be lightly vacuumed off and can be prevented by keeping relative humidity below 70%, the closer to 50% the better. Air con units help climate control but during those periods of high RH you really require a dehumidifier.

If your beloved Tomes are wet, but not saturated, they can be placed on unprinted newspaper and fan dried, placing paper towels or the unprinted newspaper inside the books about every 40-50 pages. When they are relatively dry they can be weighted down and finished off with the fan. Soft covered books can be hung out to dry, but not in direct sun.

If your books are wringing wet, you may want to consider using the experts and have them freeze or vacuum dried. Vacuum drying directly converts the ice to vapour, and also kills any beetles or insects at all stages of development

For those of you considering,  or  embarking on a library design fit-out,  particularly in an older style residence, careful attention should be paid to adequate sub-floor ventilation and  adequate sub-floor drainage as well as providing sufficient airflow for all the bookcase cabinetry or built in furniture components.

Any questions in regards to library design please call Amos: 0419 408 988

If this isn’t nice……I don’t know what is !!!

Many years ago I read a book by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr ,the absurdist classic ‘Slaughterhouse Five’. It has a narrative that combines autobiography and time travelling aliens, highlighting the absurdities of war. It had a profound effect on me.

A few years later I heard him interviewed by Phillip Adams. They discussed many topics; however the one thing that resonated with me was his recollection of his two uncles. The ‘good uncle’ and the ‘bad uncle’.   It wasn’t that the bad uncle was so terrible, rather that his outlook was a very negative, whereas his other Uncle was able to appreciate those special moments, to recognise what is truly important in life. Poets and pop stars alike have coined many phrases over the years but I think his Good uncle summed it up rather well. They would perhaps be sitting in a park, throwing a ball or maybe just sharing a ginger beer, then GU would turn to KV and say “ If this isn’t nice ….I don’t know what is!!!”

In today’s world ,with all its sensationalism , technology , reports of global financial meltdown and the like, perhaps  we should take more time to slow things down, reflect on what is really important to us, ask ourselves what do we really value. Maybe this is the year to try a bit harder, be more thoughtful, set more personal goals and maybe shake up our routines. Sometimes it’s just easier to keep doing the same old things.

We have lots to Celebrate in this wonderful city which is Sydney, The January festival with all it’s colour and energy, the Picasso exhibition and of course today is Australia Day ……….. tall ships, picnic rugs, children’s laughter, mateship……..if this isn’t nice I don’t know what is!!

Stuck for something to do today? Then check out the link below.

Happy Australia Day

http://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/

Hello 2012

Welcome to a new year, and Back to work today, after a couple of weeks in the Southern Highlands.

I absolutely love living in Sydney, however , once in a while it is a sheer joy to get out of town and recharge the proverbial batteries. This Christmas we dumped all our high tech hand held gadgetry , filled the camping trailer with, surfboards, bikes , Kayaks , some choice readables , all the necessary ingredients for cocktail hour ,then headed South to Kangaroo Valley .

A breathtaking part of the world, we felt a million miles from anywhere, although only a short drive to  the beaches and the beautiful historical villages.

Plenty of time was available to explore fantastic books stores.  The Bowral Bookmen on Bong Bong Street is a treat for any  inquisitive bibliophile. Thanks to Claudia & David Le Duc at the Elephant Boy café, a real experience, great coffee , book lined walls, a touch of yesteryear, I half expected Ernest Hemingway to pop in and order a latte.

First Past the Post.

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interior design concepts

The first thing on my new year’s resolution list is to start a blog and get Groth and Sons up and running on social media, so here goes!

The time has finally arrived to stop talking about it and actually start doing something.

My name is Amos Groth and I am passionate about producing bespoke residential libraries, custom cabintery, bedrooms and interior design concepts for the discerning customer. For more information watch this space and in the meantime check out   http://youknowcharlie.com/2011/05/03/for-the-love-of-books-groth-sons/