PRESERconVersATION

What's in a Book II? Know Your Bindings

Book

The definition of a book is a collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank leaves of paper, parchment, papyrus or other flexible or semi-flexible material, strung or bound together .

Hardback

A hardback book has stiff covers usually made from a heavy board and covered with another material such as leather, cloth or paper. This is a sturdy method of covering which protects the pages very well.

Paperback

A paperback is generally defined as a flat back book with a cover that is usually made from a slightly heavier paper stock than that used for the pages. A cheap method of binding that often incorporates adhesive binding.

Adhesive Binding

Adhesive binding is a method of securing loose leaves into a solid text block by means of an adhesive rather than by stitching, sewing etc. The pages are held together as the adhesive is applied to the spine edge. An economical binding method that results in a book that opens easily, but pages can easily fall out if the spine adhesive is broken.

Pamphlet Binding

Folded sheets are stapled, or secured by an adhesive, usually a hot-melt, to form a pamphlet. Sometimes the binding may include a cover made of a heavier paper than that of the pages.

Spiral Binding

Spiral binding refers to a method where a set of pages is held together with a metal spiral or set of plastic loops through holes made along the spine. The plastic spiral can be opened by a machine for the pages to be inserted. This type of binding can be squashed and damaged so the Library now attaches a special plastic cover to protect them.

Velo-Bind

This method involves plastic strips on the front and back of the spine that are connected to each other through the pages with small plastic rods. This plastic can break if the publication is frequently used so the Library prefers to replace the Velo-binding with a plastic spiral and cover.

Loose-Leaf Binding

The method of keeping individual sheets of paper together in an exchangeable form for pages to be added, removed or relocated in the book is referred to as loose-leaf binding. This method is generally used in ring-binders.

Case Binding

Case binding is a general term for a method of bookbinding in which the covers of the book are made separately from the book and later attached to it by gluing the endpaper of the text block to the inside of the case.

Full Binding

Full binding is a book covered entirely in one material, such as vellum, leather, cloth, paper or silk.

Half Binding

A strong material is used to cover the spine and corners of a book where the most wear occurs, and a cheaper material covers the rest.

Quarter Binding

A binding having the spine and a small part of the sides covered with one material, with the rest of the boards covered in another material.

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