BBasic Hands-On Book asic Hands-On Book Repair For Libraries – Repair For Libraries –

20042004

An Infopeople WorkshopAn Infopeople Workshop

SPRING 2010SPRING 2010

InstructorInstructor

Margit J. SmithMargit J. Smith

mjps@sandiego.edumjps@sandiego.edu

This Workshop Is Brought to You By This Workshop Is Brought to You By the Infopeople Projectthe Infopeople Project

Infopeople is a federally-funded grant Infopeople is a federally-funded grant project supported by the California State project supported by the California State Library. It provides a wide variety of training Library. It provides a wide variety of training to California libraries. Infopeople workshops to California libraries. Infopeople workshops are offered around the state, and are open are offered around the state, and are open registration on a first-come first-served registration on a first-come first-served basis.basis.

For a complete list of workshops, and for For a complete list of workshops, and for other information about the Project, go to other information about the Project, go to the Inopeople Web site at infopeople.org.the Inopeople Web site at infopeople.org.

IntroductionsIntroductions

NameName LibraryLibrary PositionPosition Any previous experience or Any previous experience or

training with book repair?training with book repair? If so, what was it and did you enjoy If so, what was it and did you enjoy

it?it?

Workshop OverviewWorkshop Overview

We will cover procedures and techniques suitable We will cover procedures and techniques suitable to repair of circulating collections in:to repair of circulating collections in:

• Public librariesPublic libraries• School LibrariesSchool Libraries• College LibrariesCollege Libraries

Procedures are not applicable to collections in:Procedures are not applicable to collections in:• Special librariesSpecial libraries• Special collectionsSpecial collections• ArchivesArchives• Rare book repositoriesRare book repositories• Valuable historic collectionsValuable historic collections

Why Do In-House Repair?Why Do In-House Repair?

Lower cost than replacementLower cost than replacement Faster turn-aroundFaster turn-around Extends life of collectionExtends life of collection Prevents more expensive repairs Prevents more expensive repairs

and replacementsand replacements Improves the look of collectionImproves the look of collection Leads by exampleLeads by example

Book Anatomy QuizBook Anatomy Quiz

HingeHinge SpineSpine CoverCover JointJoint Head/TailHead/Tail Fly Leaf/Free LeafFly Leaf/Free Leaf Fore EdgeFore Edge BoardsBoards Text BlockText Block GutterGutter

More - Book Anatomy QuizMore - Book Anatomy Quiz

Crash/Mull/CheeseclothCrash/Mull/Cheesecloth BuckramBuckram Headband/TailbandHeadband/Tailband PlatesPlates CordsCords

Simple Repairs Simple Repairs

Simple repairs with inexpensive Simple repairs with inexpensive materials:materials:• cleaningcleaning

• mendingmending

• tightening of hingestightening of hinges

• repairing cornersrepairing corners

• replacing torn spinesreplacing torn spines

• replacing endsheedsreplacing endsheeds

Advanced RepairsAdvanced Repairs

Advanced repairs requiring Advanced repairs requiring specialized materials and toolsspecialized materials and tools• mending with Japanese tissuemending with Japanese tissue

• rebuilding spinerebuilding spine

• re-casing with new boardsre-casing with new boards

• constructing boxes and other constructing boxes and other enclosuresenclosures

Commercial Repairs Commercial Repairs

Library binding in commercial Library binding in commercial bindery:bindery:

• book block loose from covers and book block loose from covers and

broken in one or several placesbroken in one or several places

• sections falling outsections falling out

• spine completely gonespine completely gone

• covers torn or partially missingcovers torn or partially missing

Conservation/PreservationConservation/Preservation

Preservation includes Conservation and RestorationPreservation includes Conservation and Restoration

Conservation stabilizes and strengthens materials Conservation stabilizes and strengthens materials for continued usefor continued use

Conservation by a trained professionalConservation by a trained professional re-housingre-housing reformattingreformatting de-acidifyingde-acidifying repairing leather and vellum bindingsrepairing leather and vellum bindings extensive paper repairsextensive paper repairs

RestorationRestoration

Working on materials to restore them as Working on materials to restore them as far as possible to their original state far as possible to their original state

Keeping as much of the original matter as Keeping as much of the original matter as possible possible

Use of materials and techniques Use of materials and techniques contemporaneous with their original contemporaneous with their original productionproduction

Needs extensive documentationNeeds extensive documentation Needs lengthy training Needs lengthy training

When Making Repair Decisions When Making Repair Decisions Consider…Consider…

ConditionCondition Use and needUse and need TimelinessTimeliness Value: Value:

• provenance provenance • bindingbinding• plates/illustrationsplates/illustrations

Also Consider…Also Consider…

Institutional policiesInstitutional policies

Options availableOptions available

Cost comparisonCost comparison

Staff ability vs. professional treatmentStaff ability vs. professional treatment

Tools Tools

• Most are inexpensiveMost are inexpensive

• Easily availableEasily available

• Easy to useEasy to use

• Easy to replaceEasy to replace

MaterialsMaterials Neutral pH, acid-free non-damaging materials and suppliesNeutral pH, acid-free non-damaging materials and supplies

• PVA (Polyvinyl acetate) JadePVA (Polyvinyl acetate) Jade

• Methyl cellulose or wheat starch pasteMethyl cellulose or wheat starch paste

• Acid-free papers for endsheetsAcid-free papers for endsheets Sharp knives instead of scissorsSharp knives instead of scissors

• Mat knives/utility knives, scalpelsMat knives/utility knives, scalpels Starch-filled or impregnated buckram, grades C, D, F.Starch-filled or impregnated buckram, grades C, D, F. Brushes of various sizesBrushes of various sizes

• CleaningCleaning

• Applying adhesivesApplying adhesives ErasersErasers

• Magic Rub, art gum, dry-cleaning powdersMagic Rub, art gum, dry-cleaning powders

Easy RepairsEasy Repairs

CleaningCleaning

Repairing cornersRepairing corners• Only repair complete cornersOnly repair complete corners

Repairing hingesRepairing hinges• Two types of hinge repairsTwo types of hinge repairs

Exercise #1 Exercise #1

Cleaning Covers and PagesCleaning Covers and Pages

Exercise #2 Exercise #2

Repairing CornersRepairing Corners

Exercise #3 Exercise #3

Repairing HingesRepairing Hinges

PaperPaper

Importance of grain directionImportance of grain direction

How to determine itHow to determine it

Cutting paperCutting paper

Exercise #4 Exercise #4

Determining Paper GrainDetermining Paper Grain

Exercise #5 Exercise #5

Repairing TearsRepairing Tears

Exercise #6Exercise #6

Replacing End-sheetsReplacing End-sheets

Exercise #7Exercise #7

Reattaching book blockReattaching book block

Replacing Pages/Spines Replacing Pages/Spines

Tipping in pagesTipping in pages• singles and multiplessingles and multiples

Replacing spinesReplacing spines• With new spine overlapping on With new spine overlapping on

boardsboards

Exercise #8Exercise #8

Tipping in PagesTipping in Pages

Repairing SpinesRepairing Spines

Repairs with adhesive book clothRepairs with adhesive book cloth Repairs with clear adhesive Repairs with clear adhesive Repairs with new spine overlapping Repairs with new spine overlapping

cover clothcover cloth Repairs with new spine under cover Repairs with new spine under cover

cloth (advanced)cloth (advanced)

Exercise #9 Exercise #9

Replacing SpinesReplacing Spines

Collection Care Collection Care

Monitor humidity and temperatureMonitor humidity and temperature

Use proper shelving and bookendsUse proper shelving and bookends

Keep environment clean and dryKeep environment clean and dry

Train workers in basic sound handling of Train workers in basic sound handling of materialsmaterials

Formulate food and drink policy, then Formulate food and drink policy, then publicize it to userspublicize it to users

Use security systemUse security system

More Collection Care More Collection Care

Inspect building for structural Inspect building for structural damagedamage

Develop a Disaster Plan ManualDevelop a Disaster Plan Manual Conduct Disaster Plan reviews Conduct Disaster Plan reviews

regularlyregularly Monitor for moldMonitor for mold Monitor for insectsMonitor for insects

Setting up a Work SpaceSetting up a Work Space

For a successful in-house repair For a successful in-house repair station you need:station you need:• large work tablelarge work table• easy access to watereasy access to water• storage shelvesstorage shelves• lightlight• staff member trained in simple book staff member trained in simple book

repairrepair

Workflow Ideas Workflow Ideas

Identify problems Identify problems

Round up the damaged booksRound up the damaged books

Communicate about damage Communicate about damage

Review candidates for repair and Review candidates for repair and perform triageperform triage

Work in batchesWork in batches

Document completed repairsDocument completed repairs

RecommendationsRecommendations Order supplies from reliable sourcesOrder supplies from reliable sources

Get samples before ordering large quantitiesGet samples before ordering large quantities

Buy the best quality you canBuy the best quality you can

Buy in larger quantities for best prices or batch Buy in larger quantities for best prices or batch order with other librariesorder with other libraries

Keep all equipment and tools clean and sharpKeep all equipment and tools clean and sharp

More RecommendationsMore Recommendations Always clean up your work area when finished for Always clean up your work area when finished for

the daythe day

Develop book repair policies and proceduresDevelop book repair policies and procedures

Train staff who are interested in book repair and Train staff who are interested in book repair and who have some manual dexteritywho have some manual dexterity

Integrate book repair activities into department’s Integrate book repair activities into department’s responsibilitiesresponsibilities

HAVE FUN!HAVE FUN!

Be patient with yourself while learningBe patient with yourself while learning

It gets easier the more you do itIt gets easier the more you do it

ANDAND

The books and your users will thank you!The books and your users will thank you!

Acknowledgements and ThanksAcknowledgements and Thanks

Illustrations in the handouts are from the Illustrations in the handouts are from the following sources:following sources:

Artemis BonaDea. Conservation Book Repair: A Artemis BonaDea. Conservation Book Repair: A Training Manual. 1995Training Manual. 1995

Carol Dyal, Pete Merrill-Oldham. Three Basic Carol Dyal, Pete Merrill-Oldham. Three Basic Book Repair Procedures. N.d.Book Repair Procedures. N.d.

Special thanks to:Special thanks to: University of San Diego Copley Library for University of San Diego Copley Library for donating the PVA.donating the PVA.

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