BOOK REPAIR

This week several Bullis Room volunteers met to repair books with missing or loose boards(aka "covers"). To accomplish this, here's what we did:

1. We arranged for an expert in book repair to instruct and guide us. This is essential, unless you are knowledgeable and experienced in this area.

2. Next, we assembled the supplies and materials needed: white glue, scissors, cork-backed rulers, pencils, sharp knife, wax paper, paper towels, binder's board, crash (a stiff cheesecloth material), craft paper, head bands, cloth or leather for covering the new boards, and paper for end sheets. These items can be purchased at art and discount stores or book binding supply houses.

3. Prior to our session, we measured the books to be repaired and cut the replacement parts out of the new materials.

4. With books and supplies organized on a large work table, we then carefully listened to and followed the expert's instructions, as she patiently guided us through the process. (Please take note of the word "patiently.")

The results were books with new endsheets and boards, securely bound together with the text block. Hurray! We hope to give this same TLC to other books in the collection that are showing signs of aging.


Note: if you're interested in repairing your own books, we suggest you contact your local book-repair expert or use your favorite search engine to locate illustrated instructions on the web. Good Luck.