Q. I have an old leather-bound book that leaves a red powder on my hands whenever I touch it. What causes this and what can I do to the book to fix it?

Leather-bound volumes sometimes develop red rot, a condition where the leather deteriorates into a fine powder. Red rot cannot be reversed or cured. Some solutions include replacing the leather cover or placing the book in a box so it will not leave a residue on books it is shelved adjacent to. For more ideas on how to handle a book with red rot contact a conservator.