Ancient books receive new life under skilled hands

"The greatest insight gained from restoring ancient books is to do our best for each book," said restorer Wei Yu. "Every aspect of restoring an ancient book requires careful consideration."

Details such as the amount of water sprayed to flatten pages and the paper's shrinkage rate all need to be considered, with restoration plans adjusted along the way to ensure the ancient books receive the most appropriate treatment, she said.

With the continuous development of technology, the tools used by ancient book restorers and skills have undergone many changes. Nowadays, the task is not just a craft but also a science. Devices like pH testers, acid removal machines and paper tensile strength machines, add new dimensions and vigor to the restoration craft, which has been practices for a millennium.