To avoid any misunderstanding, we clarify a few essential terms from this guide.
We refer exclusively to paper made from natural fibers (cotton or pure cellulose), without optical brighteners, with a grammage between 120 and 180 g/m². Newspaper, kitchen napkins, or coffee filter paper are not included in this category, as they can leave residues or do not ensure uniform moisture absorption.
It is the technique of manually writing scientific names (in Latin) using a fine-tipped instrument – a nib, quill, or fountain pen with ink resistant to water and light. Printing with typographic characters, writing with a regular ballpoint pen, or using pre-printed adhesive labels are not considered calligraphic labeling.
By this phrase, we mean shelves made of solid wood (oak, beech, walnut) or quality plywood, without toxic finishes, placed at least 50 cm from windows and at least 30 cm from exterior walls. Shelves made of melamine particleboard, untreated MDF, or metal are not considered suitable, as they can promote condensation or fail to provide a stable microclimate.
The guide does not address digital preservation methods, the use of software applications for cataloging, professional restoration techniques for damaged books, nor the procedures for selling or financially evaluating collections. All recommendations are aimed at enthusiasts who wish to keep their personal herbaria and old volumes in safe conditions, without complex chemical or mechanical interventions.
If you own a herbarium collection or a personal library and wish to collaborate on practical guides, fill out the form below. We will discuss cooperation formats and how we can together value the passion for nature and books.