Hee, ok, I'll place my response from that thread, here :)

If you are talking about removing stickers from the Mylar cover, you can try a very small amount of Goo Gone or a similar brand. Dont use much; put a small amount on a cloth and rub it on. Let it set in; you should be able to peel it off easily but may need to repeat. Do NOT use on the actual pages or anywhere near the paper cover. Also I'd be wary using it on vintage or rare books. BTW this works as well for the stickly labels on other products as well.

I keep a bottle of goo gone at school for removing crayon and glue from non porous surfaces; just don't use it around kids and use in a well ventilated area (the site says its non toxic but I always prefer being safe). I've also used it at home to clean the grime off stove vent covers. The site for the product does say its good on all surfacers, but I'd use it first on an inconspicuous spot before I'd believe that.

Check out this site for ideas from others for cleaning off labels.

Here is a link that might be useful: removing lables

Usually heat softens the glue, to take off price-stickers I use my lighter, but in my little I'm an expert you don't have to keep the flame under the sticker too long, in order to avoid to darken what is around the sticker and have to sway it for less than seconds , to not get it on fire , but I know people that use hairdryers to do the trick, or put what they want to remove upon boiling water

grelobe

I use Goo Gone for sticky labels on lots of things but it does remove color from paper so would be wary of using it on dust jackets and book covers.

I've been looking at a Goo Gone website and it says NOT to use it on the cloth covers of old books. Apparently it will remove the color from the cloth binding.

Rosefolly

As one of those library staff members, I can tell you (which you already know!) the stickers are meant to stick. A young man, however, told me that he uses a razor blade to remove the sticker from a damaged item and affixes it with glue onto a replacement item. That way, he avoids the library "replacement fee" as well as probably being able to buy the replacement item for less than we'd charge.

>I've been looking at a Goo Gone website and it says NOT to use it on the cloth covers of old books. Apparently it will remove the color from the cloth binding.

Yes, I made that comment already above. I would not recommend it for vintage or old books, or on any plain paper covers. Just the mylar only.

Using lighters or lighter fluid (someone on that site mentioned) just sends shivers down my spine, I can't imagine wanting those things off bad enough.

Cindy, thank you; I know you did. I was just trying to elicit more suggestions for those who may have missed seeing that I am working with old books some of the time.

It is an old set of clothbound books that I am particularly concerned with just now, though of course I also benefit from general information for more recent used books.

As for mylar covers with sticky labels, I just replace the cover with a new one. It is labels directly on books or directly on paper dust jackets that concern me.

Ah....ok. For those, I have no idea. I'd be afraid to use anything on the cloth covers and esp afraid to use something on older books. Have you asked a librarian? Or, contact your local museum curator to see how they repair their paper items.

Have you tried using an iron? Very low heat, of course.

At my local library, many beautiful old books have been marked on the cloth or leather covers with permanent markers. A necessary evil, I know, I know, but I always feel a little sick when I see it.

I would definitely contact a book conservator before experimenting-any reputable used-book dealer will be able to give you names.

For the call-number labels on hardback spines, I have a two-step approach. First, I use Goo-Gone on a q-tip to remove the upper layers. Let dry. Second, I use Goof-Off on a q-tip to remove the lower layers, which contain an adhesive that heat-bonds with the cloth on the cover. Use Goof-Off in a well-ventilated area! Soak a cotton tip, swab the layer, and then rub it gently; several applications may be needed to remove all of the bonded adhesive. Let dry in the same well-ventilated area. (And I'm not joking about the need for circulating fresh air.)

> At my local library, many beautiful old books have been marked on the cloth or leather covers with permanent markers.

Siobhan, that sent a chill down my spine, and not a good one.

I have used the razor blade method, which works fine but leaves a sticky patch. Some of the glue can then be rubbed off with a fingertip.

I have used a eucalyptus oil disinfectant spray (Bosisto's)to clean books and remove the sticky labels. This works well on plastic type coatings on covers and also some pages of children's books. I do a small test first after nearly ruining one book where I removed some of the coloured art-work! Oops!

There's a product specifically for this purpose...it is called GOO GONE.
It is amazing for removing any sticky tag or residue.
Otherwise, WD40 would probably work as well.

Good Luck !

I've had good luck using lighter fluid! Apply to the label and carefully peel it back as it loosens. You can apply more lighter fluid on the backside of the label with a Q-tip as you peel. The lighter fluid, unlike Goo Gone, will totally evaporate, without leaving a residue. In a worst case scenario, I once used acrylic paints to PAINT labels to match the color of leather books that I got for display-only purposes. Didn't damage the book, and from a short distance away, the labels are invisible.