I didn't know where else to ask this so I thought here was as good a place as any.... What is a good way to protect a books dust jacket from getting ripped and worn?

Wrap with an archival book jacket cover. I used to use Brodart but switched to Gaylord a few years ago and haven't looked back.

Wrap the book in aluminum foil, covered with wax paper, tapes together. put all this in a large ziplock bag and place it in a bank vault. I'll never get damaged.

:)

I remove them immediately and store them flat in an artist's portfolio case.
Books should have acid free covers but I use brown paper because I'm cheap.

As nooner said, and archival book jacket cover is best. That's what we wrap the hardbacks in my library with - it works really well.

Is Gaylord a brand or the company you bought it from ?

Gaylord and Brodart are vendors that primarily serve libraries, archives, and museums. The general public can buy from them, though:

http://gaylord.com/listing.asp?H=3&PCI=128153

http://www.shopbrodart.com/book-covers/

If you don't mind going to some local book stores, they usually have cover jackets under the cashier counter. I always wondered why there is absolutely no notice of them having them for sale. I started by getting them from a book store, they only had covers with a black tape on the edges. After a while this tape gets sticky and falls off, leaving a sticky residue. My friend found some from a used book store without the tape and is much nicer.

You have to measure carefully your books, as they are made in different sizes to cover the book properly.