Library Bookbinding Part 16

9. When shipment is ready to be sent, arrange cards:

_a._ By departments which are responsible for the cost of binding;

_b._ Alphabetically by author or t.i.tle under departments.

10. Make typewritten list in triplicate (or more if necessary) of volumes for each department; one copy for filing, one for the binder and one to go to the order department with an estimate of the cost to serve as a charge against the proper department. If the departments against which charges must be made are many it may be simpler to list the books as they come, even if several departments are on one page, and to draw off from this the charges for the order department. Where departments are numerous and the record of each department is kept on a separate sheet there are a great number of sheets to handle, causing annoyance both in the binding department and in the bindery. Two lists may be sent to the binder so that he may add prices to one when the books are returned. This saves his time and also that of the binding a.s.sistant.

11. Stamp date on the binding card in the column marked "sent."

12. Stamp name of binder on binding card if the work is divided among different binders.

If all the work of the library goes to one binder this will not be necessary.

13. Ship the books.

14. File one copy of the list made out as noted in No. 10, send one copy to the binder, and add the estimated cost to the third list which is sent to the order department.

15. File cards in "binding sent" file.

16. When books are returned itemized bills are sent by the binder made out to each department.

17. Check books with the bills, arranging books in order of bills.

18. Take cards out of "binding sent" file in order of bills so that bills, books and cards are in the same order.

19. Compare lettering with slip to see if correct, lay aside such as are incorrect to be returned to the binder. Destroy slips.

20. See if charge is correct and enter on binding card in column marked "price." If there is a sample back, enter the cost and letters "S. B."

above the line of the volume for which it is made.

21. Stamp date of bill on card in column marked "returned."

22. Stamp date of bill and cost in book on first recto after t.i.tle page: "27 June 1914 Binding 75."

23. Send books to the cataloging department for cataloging, shelf-listing, etc.

24. Draw off on statistics sheet number of volumes and cost.

25. Send bills to the order department.

26. File cards for periodicals and all books with volume numbers in permanent file. Destroy cards for single books.

CHAPTER X

REPAIRING, RECASING, RECOVERING, ETC.

Practically all repairs to a book short of rebinding should be made in the library, since the work requires little s.p.a.ce and no machinery, and the books may speedily be replaced on the shelves for general use. Large or medium sized libraries can well afford to hire one or more girls as menders, while the small library must utilize the spare time of regular a.s.sistants.

When books are sent to the binding department they should be sorted into the following groups:

Books to be (_a_) rebound, (_b_) recased, (_c_) recovered, (_d_) mended, (_e_) discarded; to have (_f_) new sides, (_g_) new labels, (_h_) new book cards or pockets.

When menders are employed all except those in the first group may be cared for in the library.

In sorting the books the question of whether to rebind or repair at the library must be decided for all books, except those in the discarded cla.s.s and those which need new records (tags, pockets, book cards, etc.). The decision is not always an easy one to make. The kind of library in question, whether public, college, subscription, etc., will influence the decision, as well as the actual condition of the book. A few general rules about mending may help in making decisions.

1. If the book has never been rebound and in all probability must go to the bindery in a few months' time, send to the bindery at once. Mending not only adds nothing to the life of this book, but may easily shorten it.

2. Mend books which have been rebound once but which it would not pay to rebind again. Judicious mending of such books may keep them in service for a long time, but there comes a day when the use gained does not pay for the time put upon them.

3. Mend books which have nearly outlived their usefulness or which are to be withdrawn absolutely when worn out. The question need be decided only when the book is fairly clean, for if very soiled it should be withdrawn at once.

4. Mend books which must be on the library shelves, but which are seldom used.

5. Mend books printed on heavily loaded papers which will not pay to rebind. There are, unfortunately, many of them.

6. Mending cannot be done if the sewing is completely broken, though it is sometimes possible to insert signatures which are loose.

7. Books with broken corners must be rebound.

8. Recase books which have sewing intact and covers in good condition, if they will be used comparatively seldom.

9. Recover books which have worn covers but firm sewing.

MENDING MATERIALS

ADHESIVES

_Paste._ Home-made pastes are cheapest. While there are various recipes for paste, either of the following will give satisfaction:

(1)

Wheat flour, 8 oz.

Powdered alum, 1/4 oz.

Glycerine, 1-1/2 oz.

Oil wintergreen, 1 dram.

Water, 1-1/2 pts.

Dissolve the alum in water and mix gradually with the flour into a smooth, thin paste; cook in a double boiler until smooth and clear; take from the fire and add the glycerine and oil of wintergreen. This quant.i.ty will make about one quart. If after standing a day a watery fluid collects, stir it into the paste. Keep this paste covered.

(2)

1/4 pound of flour (1 cup).

1 teaspoonful of alum, dissolved.