Mending and Repair of Books

This handbook offers practical, step-by-step guidance for librarians who repair circulating collections, covering how to decide when to bind or mend, the essential mending-table supplies, and the use of paste as a primary adhesive. It outlines common repair techniques and cleaning methods, describes temporary binding options and record-keeping practices, and provides directions suited to inexperienced menders while noting the limits of handbook instruction compared with professional binding. Readers are encouraged to observe bindery processes and seek hands-on instruction for more advanced repairs.