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The Book Doctor is In: Torn Paper Book Repair (demco.com)

Details

Subject area:  Preservation

Type: Seminar

Length:  5.5 Hours

Level: Library Technician, Librarians

Organisers: School Library Association of Victoria (SLAV)

Presenters: Dr Susan La Marca

Format: Workshop

Reflection

The objectives of this activity were to provide a hands on workshop to learn how to professionally cover books with adhesive covering and dust jackets to improve the longevity of books and how to carry out repairs on damaged items.

I suggested to my manager that I attend this workshop for my professional development as a Library Assistant at the time. It was my responsibility to cover all processed items before they were shelved in the library for borrowing and although my technique was taught to me from other staff members, I wanted to learn the ‘proper’ way of covering books and more importantly to me, the technical way to repair books that were damaged. In my library, a secondary school, items can often be damaged by way of ripped pages and detached covers.

I especially enjoyed learning how to ‘tip in’ a page that has come away from the book which involves careful gluing and a lot of patience! Re-attaching covers to books is important in my library because there are many titles that are hugely popular amongst the students but are out of print and unable to be re-purchased.

I have fully implemented all the skills I learned at this workshop. Covering hard-cover books with dust jacket can be challenging to get a good tight fit but I have mastered the skill as well repairing all the damaging books I can find. I purchased a book press for my repairs, and I often tell people my lost calling in life is a book repairer. I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop and have gotten the most practical use out of this activity