Re: Brittle book repair

[Janet Gertz <gertz@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Hello all,
> 
> Here at Emory our practice concerning brittle books has been to seek
> replacements, build enclosures or to reformat through preservation
> microfilming or preservation photocopying.  We have not done any repairs
> due to concern with creating additional damage, and due to the time and
> expense involved in working with these fragile materials.
> 
> Many volumes in our theology library are brittle, difficult to replace,
> and still in demand by library users.  Library staff would like for us to
> perform some book repair treatments on these volumes, sufficient to give
> perhaps 5-10 years of useability.  Heavy use is not predicted for these
> materials.
> 
> Our conservator is resistant to doing "bad repairs."  As preservation
> officer I agree, but also want to offer the best possible service in a
> "real world" situation where best practice may not result in the desired
> ends.
> 
> How are other libraries handling this?  Do you do any repair treatments to
> brittle volumes?  What is your rationale for repairing, or for not
> repairing these materials?  Is there a reasonable compromise solution that
> will extend the life of these materials?
> 
> I'd appreciate your perspective on this problem.
> 
> Thanks you,
> 
> Janice Mohlhenrich
> Coordinator, Preservation Initiatives & Services
> Emory University
> Atlanta, GA
> 404-727-2437
> jmohlhe@xxxxxxxxx 
> 

If the text block is intact and the problem is strictly with the
covers, we will repair them in-house so that the cover can continue to
protect the text block and allow the book to receive some further use. 
If the problem is a broken text block, or loose or damaged pages, then
we turn to replacement or reformatting.

Janet Gertz
Columbia University Libraries