But, despite these hurdles, it is hoped a single page from a Spanish medieval manuscript will be a riveting read for visitors to the Dunedin Public Library.
The double-sided piece of parchment was purchased for $3000 by Dunedin library staff in June last year, after being offered for sale by a London rare books seller.
Yesterday, it went on display at the library for the first time since the acquisition, as part of an exhibition of 32 rare European manuscripts dating back to the 13th century that formed part of the library's A. H. Reed collection.
Library rare books librarian Anthony Tedeschi said the works would be displayed for two weeks before being returned to the library's climate and light-controlled storage facility.
Items from the collection were displayed about "three or four" times each year, but were available for viewing upon request.
The latest manuscript purchase was a page from a Spanish lectionary - a book of scripture read on certain occasions, according to Christian and Judaic tradition - written in Toledo, Spain, circa 1600, Mr Tedeschi said.
The text of the Latin verses was in black ink with red headings, surrounded by full-page illuminated borders decorated with flowers, foliage, berries and a small grey snail.
The new addition would be a learning tool for researchers and visitors to the library, who would be able to examine the workmanship first hand, without having to travel to Europe or view reproductions online, he said.
"You just don't get the same sense of workmanship unless you see the piece in person," he said.
The library already had in its collection two other pages from Spanish manuscripts, but both were in relatively poor condition, he said.
The library's collection included 10 bound books and more than 60 individual manuscript pages, mainly from England, France, Germany, Italy and Holland.
The latest addition was paid for out of the library's acquisition fund, which was started as a trust by A. H. Reed, Mr Tedeschi said.
The Spanish page was not the oldest item held by the library - that title belonged to a page from a French book of gospel, dating back to the 10th century, which was believed to be the oldest example in New Zealand, he said.
