What is the curved wire I see sticking out slightly from the back of the lid below my book?
That is the Center Book Wire which you can insert into the middle of your book for added security of the book to the lid. To load a paperback for example pull and rotate the Center Book Wire toward the front and insert it into the middle of your paperback. First the wire goes through a slot and then push it up into your half-opened book. This is easiest while holding your paperback almost in a “V” position.
