An email question

Two questions for you:

On the best way to store properly cared for records:
It's already a given that they must be:

In the record jacket, and in a plastic sleeve. But should the plastic
sleeve's open edge be at the top, or on the open side of the album
jacket? If you store them with the open edge of the plastic cover at
the top, you have to remove the album entirely to play it, and then
assemble the whole thing again upon storing it. If you have an
exceptionally rare or old record jacket, you risk damaging the edges
by constantly removing and replacing the cover in the plastic. If you
store them with the open side where the opening in the album cover is,
when you place the album back on the shelf the plastic starts inching
back, making it harder to read the spine.

I would be interested in reading your answer, and I'm sure your blog
readers will as well. Thanks!

- Bill
North Olmsted, OH


Thanks for your question Bill. There are some solutions to this. I have some Scotch tape handy in my music room and use this to keep this from happening. I store my LP's in protective plastic sleeves with the opening in the back. My records are placed in the album jacket so that the record and sleeve open at the top, so if someone were to pull the album out and opening it, the record is easily acessible. The Scotch tape is placed at the open end of the plastic sleeve, (which is in the back, when stored) usually about two small pieces. This helps to prevent the problem you have encountered, by not allowing the plastic to inch back, thus making the spine easier to read. Another method is to not store your albums so tight- give the records room to breathe. You can also take about 5-8 out and when placing the album of choice back in its place, have a handful of LP's instead of the one, it makes it easier to 'repack' the Lp's and helps with the problem you are having. But, for me, the scotch tape method works best, it also prevents the album from falling out once you have selected it; meaning you could have the open end of the plastic upsidedown and the LP would not fall out.