One of the responsibilities I have at the Wasilla Public Library is the mending of the circulating books, videos and other media.  The impression I have is that the mending of books is not one of the jobs at the library that holds “favored nation status”.   I happen to love it.  There is something about taking some poor, well used book into my hands and making it all shiny and ready for circulation again.  Putting those mended books on the shelf is a highlight of my day.

This post is the first in a mini-series of how book mending works.  You need to know that book mending and book conservation are as much art as they are science and I am but a mere novice at this.  Folks have dedicated their lives to making old books new.  It is a complicated and demanding endeavor to be sure.

This time we’ll take a look at some of the common tools of the trade.

A sharp exatco-type knife is a must for cutting pages, scissors for book covers a “bone” to press tapes and other coverings and to make crisp folds, brushes to spread glue and a straight-edge so cut edges are, umm, straight.

A very wide variety of tape is imperative

Various binder clips to hold a freshly glued book closed tightly

Wooden skewers for binding creases and to spread binding glue

Wax paper and heavy duty fabric tape for binding and covering

Other assorted tools to get the job done

Hmmm, a striking resemblance?  Hehe.  Magic Eraser for getting rid of smudges and prints

Stay tuned for next week’s post.  I’ll go through a standard repair from start to finish.