Rare book nerds, this post is for you. During a recent research visit to the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, I came across an ingenious book cradle designed in-house by the paper conservators. It’s a simple yet sophisticated solution for supporting large or heavy bound volumes without stressing their spines—especially helpful for researchers working with oversized books in the reading room.

At first glance, it looks like a typical cradle, but it’s fully adjustable. Two triangular supports, covered in blue buckram cloth, can be moved farther apart or adjusted to change the angle, accommodating the size and shape of the book. Weights help stabilize the book on the cradle, while a brown felt mat underneath provides friction to prevent the supports from sliding.

Each blue triangle is the key to the design. They’re hinged into thirds, allowing them to fold into shape. One end includes a half-inch layer of foam, while the other features a strip of textured white paper—both adding just enough grip to hold their position on the felt. The foam side is placed face-down, and the rest folds around to form a sturdy triangular wedge.

It’s a bit tricky to describe, but the accompanying photos should help. If you have basic bookbinding skills and access to similar materials, you could easily replicate this design in-house. I suspect the Folger’s conservators would be happy to share their template if you’re interested.

For those managing rare books or working with fragile oversized volumes, this is a thoughtful and flexible support system worth considering. It’s a great example of practical innovation in collection care—and one more reason to admire the behind-the-scenes work of conservators.