Even in a digital age, the tactile feel of “real” books still draws many of us, as does the look of a well-stocked office library, but that very physicality makes paper books dust collectors unless stored on shelves behind glass or clear acrylic doors, and periodically vacuumed with a suction-only brush tool.

Frequently used books should be stored vertically on shelves with enough shelf-depth so less-used ones are pushed back leaving the most popular an inch or two forward of the less-used ones and easier to grasp between thumb and index finger for pinch-grabbing each side of a book spine rather than pulling at the delicate top center edge.

The ideal bookshelf should permit enough top-space above books to insert a vacuum brush tool for top dusting as needed.

Store unused books flat so only the top book needs dusting.

Microfiber and “Swiffer”-type dusters work well.

Reducing airborne dust that settles is important, so adding an air purifier to the room is helpful.