Common Questions
I want to remove a label from a book, and I have run out of "un-du Label Remover."
Try using a hair dryer. It can be effective in removing labels, tape or anything that is glued to paper. Set it on low-heat. And if your book gets wet, thehair dryer can be a valuable emergency tool for drying. Some even find it effective on beginning mildew.
I am a Florida bookseller, and mildew is a problem with me, although I keep the air conditioning going. Any tips for me?
Mildew, also known as mold, can destroy a book, and it can spread. Webster defines it as “a furry growth on the surface of organic matter”, and yourbook is made of organic matter i.e., from materials which were (formerly) alive. The Document Cleaning Pad is helpful against mold. Fungi thrive onmoisture and heat, so air conditioning is a good idea.
I’ve heard that Vaseline can be useful in book cleaning. Is this true?
Vaseline is petrolatum, (petroleum jelly), and it can be useful. A dab of it on a soft, clean cloth can often get rid of smudges on dust jackets. Wipe it onand wipe it off with a cleaning agent like a Document Cleaning Pad. Bookseller folklore has many household products for book care, such as nail polishremover and lighter fluid but, as a rule, they are not worth the inconvenience.
What is an "art gum eraser"? Isn’t any eraser ok?
Experienced book people divide erasers into plastic, art gum, and kneaded. The basic tool is the art gum eraser, and it is a must for any seller or lover ofbooks. These large, soft erasers are to be used gently on pencil marks, dirt on dust jackets and covers, etc. They crumble easily, and the crumbs should bewhisked away. The important thing is that they do minimum damage to your books and keep them clean. Any black surfaces that appear on the erasermay be cut away or you may get rid of them by rubbing it on blank paper.
Is there any way except taping to close (repair) a torn page?
If you do not wish to use a thin, acid-free tape like Filmoplast® Tape, you may glue the tear shut by taking the following steps:
- Rest the torn page on a sheet of waxed paper.
- Run a line of acid-free glue, such as Brodart Bind-Art® Adhesive, along the tear, using a fine paintbrush, cotton swab, or toothpick.
- Wipe away any excess glue with a cloth and place a separate sheet of waxed paper on top of the tear.
- Close the book and apply a book weight, or other books, on top for a few hours until the glue is completely dry.
- The waxed paper will remove easily when the glue is dry.
Do books require more care than, for example CDs, DVDs, etc?
Books are made mainly of paper, cloth, glue, and other organic materials. They come from live sources, like fine furniture, and require more care. Just as, forexample, garments made of organic materials such as silk and wool require more care than those made from inorganic materials like nylon and polyester.
What can be done for a book that is faded by sun?
Nothing! If a book is “sunned” (faded) then the damage is permanent. Just as people can forestall skin damage by applying a sunscreen, you can alsoforestall UV damage to your books by applying Brodart Book Jacket Covers.
I own old books, and they usually are darkened by decades of dirt, dirt so engrained that cloths, erasers, or even Absorene® BookCleaner cannot get them to near their original colors. Is there not a simple cheap way to get my old boards looking better?
Clean Cover Gel, a petroleum based product, seems to be the favorite “Cinderella” product for getting old boards looking good. Put a dab on a clean, lintfreecloth. Test on a tiny part of the board to make sure the colors are fast. Rub along the surface gently in one direction. Wipe off with clean cloth. Be sureto put some paper under the board to make sure the gel does not get on the pages. It's also a good idea to practice first on some books that you do notvalue highly.
Book Repair Manual PDF
FAQs
Most simple repairs and rebindings in cloth are covered by that price. If the book needs to be resewn, or any other more detailed work, price rises up to $300. If the book is to be sewn in leather, prices start at $200. Tooling costs much extra, and books often go up to $500 to $700.
What is book repair called? ›
Book restoration is the renewal and repair of books. Techniques include cleaning; mending and filling damaged pages; restitching and rebinding.
Can you repair a damaged book? ›
There are varying degrees for repairing/mending a book - some include just a bit of transparent tape or book tape, others include edging of the book or a loose page. More involved repair/mending includes the book's spine falling apart or separating. Sometimes entire sections of a book come loose.
What is the best glue for book repair? ›
Woodworkers call it wood or carpenter's glue. In bookbinding, we use a non-acidic (archival quality) version that is sometimes called “bookbinder's glue.” PVA is strong, non-toxic, water soluble, dries clear and remains flexible. This makes it perfect for book making where flexibility and longevity are key.
Should you rebind old books? ›
Loss of Historical Value: Old books often carry historical significance, whether it's through their original bindings, inscriptions, or other unique features. Rebinding can strip away some of this historical value, altering the book's authenticity and potentially decreasing its collectible or monetary worth.
How much does a book repair cost? ›
As explained above, every book is different so it is very hard to give a generalisation. However, the majority of routine book repairs I deal with probably fall into the broad range of £125 to £300. Family Bibles usually require more work so are a little higher (see the Bible Repair page).
How much does rebinding a book cost? ›
Every book will need some binding work. This includes disassembly, page repair of the binding edge, and partial resewing. Typically, this cost ranges between $45 and $85. There are some cases that will require extensive repair.
Does repairing a book devalue it? ›
As a general rule, rebound books do not have as high a value as a book in it's original binding. Remember that in general, book collecting tends to be a striving for the original. Book collectors value the earliest form of the book the highest. Alterations tend to devalue a book.
What is considered a damaged book? ›
Damage includes, but is not limited to, marks caused by pen, pencil, highlighter, food, liquids, tearing, cutting, pets or by exposure to heat or dirt.
What do bookstores do with damaged books? ›
Unsold stock goes back to the publishers. Hardbacks are returned whole copy for credit; most paperbacks have the front covers removed. The covers are returned to the publishers for credit and the stripped books are discarded.
To Reattach a Book Spine
You'll need binding tape, a bone folder, glue and paint, and something soft to wrap the book in, like a T-shirt or a non-adhesive bandage or wrap. Brace the book with weights on either side so that the spine is horizontal to the table.
Is it illegal to damage books? ›
Under federal statutes, any person who shall steal, wrongfully deface, injure, mutilate, tear, or destroy Library materials, or any portion thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than 3 years, or both (18 USC 641; 18 USC 1361; 18 USC 2071; and 22 D.C. Code 3306).
Can you use Elmers glue for book repair? ›
Both PVA and Elmer's glue will keep the pages together after completely dry. I still prefer the PVA glue because the book spine can bend easily and it creates less wrinkle. However, it is a personal choice. Elmer's glue can be a good choice for kid's first bookbinding project.
How do you know if old books are valuable? ›
To determine the true market value of a book, or any other collectible item, an appraisal may be necessary.
- What is the condition of the book?
- Is it a first edition? ...
- Who is the author of the book?
- What is the full title?
- When was it published? ...
- Who is the publisher?
In determining the value of a book there are three basic elements: 1) rarity, 2) condition, and, 3) demand.
What do you do with damaged books? ›
If not valuable, Recycle
Books can go with mixed paper, but only if you remove a hardcover. It seems that softcover is not a problem. If your books have been heavily damaged by water, they can't be recycled. The only way left is to dispose of them with your household waste.
