Place paper towels between groups of pages in a book, if the pages are actually wet. Use waxed paper between pages with shiny illustrations. Replace the towels every ten minutes or so until the book is merely damp.
Turn a hairdryer to the lowest and coolest setting. Direct the air at the pages, keeping the hairdryer several inches away from the book. Generally, you should keep the dryer further away from the book than you would from your hair. Don't use a hot setting.
Separate the pages very gently as you dry but don't pull at them if they're stuck. Pulling damp pages apart forcibly is liable to tear them or leave text from one page stuck on the opposing page.
Lay each book on its back or bottom edge in a dry room once the book is nearly dry. Place pencils between groups of pages to separate them and facilitate the drying process.
Store your books on shelves, not stacked in boxes or cartons, once they are dry. Shelves allow air to circulate.
Place silica gel sachets on top of or behind the books to help keep them dry.
Take the books out from the bookcase about once a month to dust and check for signs of dampness.
Monitor the humidity of the room with a hygrometer. Levels should be between 40 and 55 percent. Consider using a portable dehumidifier if relative humidity climbs above 60 percent. Alternatively, open windows to aid ventilation if the weather is dry.