The UC Berkeley Library announced this week that it is taking precautionary steps to address potential health concerns stemming from heavy metals historically used in 19th century book covers. Studies have revealed that colorants found in bookcloth from this era (between 1800 and 1900) may contain arsenic, lead, chromium, or mercury. In response, the Library has reclassified all 19th century books, allowing them to be used on site, but not checked out.
Although the health risk associated with handling the books is considered low, the decision safeguards users and staff members from chronic exposure while maintaining public access to materials with significant research value. Berkeley joins leading research institutions worldwide in developing and deploying similar strategies that balance preservation, access, and safety in addressing this concern.
To minimize risk, visitors who engage with these books — and any Library materials — are encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after use. They should also refrain from touching their faces during handling. Disposable gloves are available upon request at circulation desks. While heavy metals in dust can accumulate, the risk of inhaling the metals during the normal reading or shelving of a 19th century book is low.
Users can also access digital editions of many of these books through HathiTrust, a repository of scanned books and journals from research libraries across the University of California system and beyond. For those items not already available online, the Library is launching targeted digitization efforts. Rebound books, those that have had their original covers replaced, are under review and will gradually be returned to circulating status where possible.
The Library’s preservation team will conduct training for staff members who come into contact with these books. Signs will be available for staff to post in high-traffic library spaces across campus, and talking points will be distributed to those who work at public-facing desks.
If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to the Library’s Scholarly Resources team at scholarly-resources@lists.berkeley.edu or UC Berkeley’s Office of Environment, Health & Safety at ehs-frontdesk@berkeley.edu.