1. "scotch tape" the tears
2. tear the pages out because they will come out anyway
3. tell the librarian about the torn pages when you return the book
4. hope that the pages won't fall out before you return the book
5. not return the book because you might be accused of mutilating the book

Answer: Repairs, no matter how small, are best left to library personnel who are specially trained to do them with archival quality materials. Well-meant repairs made on materials are keenly regretted later. Pressure-sensitive tape, even if the manufacturer advertises that it is made specially for books and is sold as permanent, invisible, or magic, will usually dry out, stain paper, gum up cloth, shrink, and ooze at the sides. It can take hours to remove the residue of a few pieces of old tape. Don't complicate the efforts of the library conservation staff experienced in making repairs by trying to save them work.

UCSD Preservation Program, 1989

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