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Where can I get my book repaired?

I have a paperback book about 8''x8'' and about .5'' thick that has fallen to pieces. The front and back covers are attached to the spine but not to any of the pages. Some of the pages are still attached to each other at the spine edge but others are loose. I'd like to get this book rebound somehow and don't need it to be fancy at all. There are about 1/4'' margins at the left and right sides of the text. Should I take it to a copy center and get it spiral bound? Or whatever binding they do for "course packs?" Cheap is of course best but I got the book for free so I'd be willing to pay for durability and ease of use (easily opened, pages turn smoothly).

Claire asked in Other Books & Writing 10 months ago | Report

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2 Answers

  • Mr_small
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    MR

    First of all, to comment on the previous answer by MyrnaMinkoff, regarding contacting the libraries, there's nothing wrong with talking to them, but they will tell you to contact a local bookbinder. They should know bookbinders and paper conservators if they have the more valuable books in their collections. Librarians are not bookbinders and based on my experience, what they "patch up" isn't restoration, and the end result is horrible. I'd not recommend you to let them "fix" your book for you.

    Regarding the condition of the paper mentioned also by MyrnaMinkoff, she's correct: however, based on what you described in the questionnaire, I don't think the kind of book you have has paper that contains serious acid problem, and can simply be rebound.

    I wouldn't recommend you to do a spiral binding. Do Not do it. Beside, your book has an extremely small margin on the left (spine side) that the holes might punch through some of the text.

    If I can see some pictures of your book, I can be more precise, but If I understand your description of your book correctly, all it needs is re-gluing on the spine, and if the cover is still in a good condition that can be reused, I think it'd cost somewhere between $10~$25 to rebind. Not that expensive. I'd recommend you to Google local bookbinders, and contact them.

    MR answered in Other Books & Writing 10 months ago | Report
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  • Cateyes_small
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    MyrnaMinkoff

    One thing that will be critical in determining whether the book can be rebound is the quality of the paper it's printed on. If it's a thicker, paper that is still bright white, you'll be fine. Older books, especially cheap mass-produced paperbacks are less likely to hold up, because they were never meant for longevity. If the paper is yellowing, or if you fold over a small corner and the page breaks, the book cannot be rebound. (And don't do sprial bound if you can avoid it -- super ugly, and not designed to hold up over time.)

    Contact the University of Washington Libraries about re-binding. Big university libraries usually bind their journals, either a year or a quarter at a time, so they do a high volume of binding books. They will also periodically do the same thing for paperbacks or other hardbound books that are falling apart.

    I don't know whether they do their binding in house or send the books out, but it can't hurt to ask. You can also ask Seattle Public Libraries or King County Libraries, but I bet they use the service less -- it's probably cheaper to replace the high-circulation/low-cost paperbacks that are likely to fall apart, and journals they can just keep in magazine files.

    MyrnaMinkoff answered in Other Books & Writing 10 months ago | Report
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