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Book Treatments

This guide highlights a few of the steps taken in various book repair treatments used in the Preservation Unit.

Steps in Constructing Pamphlet Binders

Steps for Constructing Pamphlet Binders:

If the pamphlet is encased within a old, damaged binder, the binder is removed and replaced (with the smallest size binder that will cover the pamphlet).  

                                        Choose New Binder

The binder is trimmed to fit the pamplet, leaving an extra 1/4'' on all sides.

                                        Trim Binder to Fit Pamphlet

 

The corners are rounded. 

                                        Round Corners

 

Staples are removed with a staple remover tool.

                                        Remove Staples

 

The corners of cambric interior spine cloth are cut.

                                        Cut Corners of Interior Spine Cloth

Pieces of scrap paper are placed underneath the cambric interior spine cloths and glue is applied with a brush.

                                        Apply Glue to Interior Spine Cloth


The pamphlet is inserted inside the spine cloth and enclosed within the folds. Time  is allowed for the glue to dry before moving on to the next step.

                                        Enclose Pamphlet Within Interior Spine Cloth 2

Steps in Constructing Pamphlet Binders (Continued)

An awl is used to open the pamphlet to the center pages, and three holes are punched all the way through the pamphlet and binder. One hole is placed in the middle and two holes are placed 1" in from each end.

                                         Punch Three Holes With Awl

A needle and linen thread are used to sew the pamphlet securely into the binder. The needle is inserted through the center hole and then drawn through by grasping the needle from the outer side of the binder.

                                         Insert Needle Through Center Hole

 

Next, the needle is inserted through the hole at the end of the binder that does not contain the awl. The needle is drawn from the outside towards the inside of the pamphlet.

                                         Pass Needle Through Outer End

The awl is removed from the hole at the opposite end and the needle is passed through the hole from the inside towards the outside.

                                         Pass Needle Through Third Hole

 

The needle is now drawn back through the center hole from the outside towards the inside, so that both ends of thread are within the inside of the pamphlet. A square knot is tied (left over right, right over left) with ends of thread, and ends of thread are trimmed to about 1/2''.

                                         Tie a Square Knot

The end of a paper clip is dipped into glue and a dab of glue is applied to each end of thread. While the ends are still wet, they are pushed into the center hole to hide them from view.

                                         Push Ends of Thread Into Center Hole

 

A bone folder is used to smooth out the area around the three holes.

                                        Smooth Outside Holes with Bone Folder

 

A dab of glue is then applied to the brush and run over the outside thread to ensure that it stays in place.

                                        Apply Glue to Outside Thread