Mending a Split Seam

Q The boards on my library table have splits on the seams on both ends. Should these be repaired?

A Seam splits on the ends of tabletops are a common occurrence. In winter, with heating, wood shrinks as it dries out. Summer humidity swells the wood and the splits close a little. I would leave them alone unless the seam breaks along the entire length. If the seam splits are glued, expansion and contraction of the wood may cause the rest of the seam to let go, assuming it has the original hide glue, which has probably degraded over time, diminishing its holding power.