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B asic Hands-On Book Repair For Libraries – 2004 An Infopeople Workshop SPRING 2010. Instructor Margit J. Smith mjps@sandiego.edu. This Workshop Is Brought to You By the Infopeople Project.
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Basic Hands-On Book Repair For Libraries – 2004An Infopeople WorkshopSPRING 2010 Instructor Margit J. Smith mjps@sandiego.edu
This Workshop Is Brought to You By the Infopeople Project Infopeople is a federally-funded grant project supported by the California State Library. It provides a wide variety of training to California libraries. Infopeople workshops are offered around the state, and are open registration on a first-come first-served basis. For a complete list of workshops, and for other information about the Project, go to the Inopeople Web site at infopeople.org.
Introductions • Name • Library • Position • Any previous experience or training with book repair? • If so, what was it and did you enjoy it?
Workshop Overview We will cover procedures and techniques suitable to repair of circulating collections in: • Public libraries • School Libraries • College Libraries Procedures are not applicable to collections in: • Special libraries • Special collections • Archives • Rare book repositories • Valuable historic collections
Why Do In-House Repair? • Lower cost than replacement • Faster turn-around • Extends life of collection • Prevents more expensive repairs and replacements • Improves the look of collection • Leads by example
Book Anatomy Quiz • Hinge • Spine • Cover • Joint • Head/Tail • Fly Leaf/Free Leaf • Fore Edge • Boards • Text Block • Gutter
More - Book Anatomy Quiz • Crash/Mull/Cheesecloth • Buckram • Headband/Tailband • Plates • Cords
Simple Repairs • Simple repairs with inexpensive materials: • cleaning • mending • tightening of hinges • repairing corners • replacing torn spines • replacing endsheeds
Advanced Repairs • Advanced repairs requiring specialized materials and tools • mending with Japanese tissue • rebuilding spine • re-casing with new boards • constructing boxes and other enclosures
Commercial Repairs • Library binding in commercial bindery: • book block loose from covers and broken in one or several places • sections falling out • spine completely gone • covers torn or partially missing
Conservation/Preservation • Preservation includes Conservation and Restoration • Conservation stabilizes and strengthens materials for continued use Conservation by a trained professional • re-housing • reformatting • de-acidifying • repairing leather and vellum bindings • extensive paper repairs
Restoration • Working on materials to restore them as far as possible to their original state • Keeping as much of the original matter as possible • Use of materials and techniques contemporaneous with their original production • Needs extensive documentation • Needs lengthy training
When Making Repair Decisions Consider… • Condition • Use and need • Timeliness • Value: • provenance • binding • plates/illustrations
Also Consider… • Institutional policies • Options available • Cost comparison • Staff ability vs. professional treatment
Tools • Most are inexpensive • Easily available • Easy to use • Easy to replace
Materials • Neutral pH, acid-free non-damaging materials and supplies • PVA (Polyvinyl acetate) Jade • Methyl cellulose or wheat starch paste • Acid-free papers for endsheets • Sharp knives instead of scissors • Mat knives/utility knives, scalpels • Starch-filled or impregnated buckram, grades C, D, F. • Brushes of various sizes • Cleaning • Applying adhesives • Erasers • Magic Rub, art gum, dry-cleaning powders
Easy Repairs • Cleaning • Repairing corners • Only repair complete corners • Repairing hinges • Two types of hinge repairs
Paper • Importance of grain direction • How to determine it • Cutting paper
Replacing Pages/Spines • Tipping in pages • singles and multiples • Replacing spines • With new spine overlapping on boards
Repairing Spines • Repairs with adhesive book cloth • Repairs with clear adhesive • Repairs with new spine overlapping cover cloth • Repairs with new spine under cover cloth (advanced)
Collection Care • Monitor humidity and temperature • Use proper shelving and bookends • Keep environment clean and dry • Train workers in basic sound handling of materials • Formulate food and drink policy, then publicize it to users • Use security system
More Collection Care • Inspect building for structural damage • Develop a Disaster Plan Manual • Conduct Disaster Plan reviews regularly • Monitor for mold • Monitor for insects
Setting up a Work Space • For a successful in-house repair station you need: • large work table • easy access to water • storage shelves • light • staff member trained in simple book repair
Workflow Ideas • Identify problems • Round up the damaged books • Communicate about damage • Review candidates for repair and perform triage • Work in batches • Document completed repairs
Recommendations • Order supplies from reliable sources • Get samples before ordering large quantities • Buy the best quality you can • Buy in larger quantities for best prices or batch order with other libraries • Keep all equipment and tools clean and sharp
More Recommendations • Always clean up your work area when finished for the day • Develop book repair policies and procedures • Train staff who are interested in book repair and who have some manual dexterity • Integrate book repair activities into department’s responsibilities
HAVE FUN! • Be patient with yourself while learning • It gets easier the more you do it AND • The books and your users will thank you!
Acknowledgements and Thanks Illustrations in the handouts are from the following sources: Artemis BonaDea. Conservation Book Repair: A Training Manual. 1995 Carol Dyal, Pete Merrill-Oldham. Three Basic Book Repair Procedures. N.d. Special thanks to: University of San Diego Copley Library for donating the PVA.
