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to Book Preservation Virtual Exhibit
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The “hospital,” pictured on the left,
holds books in various stages of disrepair. A small repair station
allows the librarian to repair cracked hinges and text blocks, torn
pages, and loose covers and signatures (sections of pages). McSpadden
Bookbinding handles more serious problems requiring rebinding and
restoration. |
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Often a book’s interior hinge cracks exposing
the super, a gauze material attaching the text block to the book’s
cover. If the exterior hinge and super remain intact, the interior
hinge can easily be reinforced with a strip of Japanese paper. This
handmade, acid-free paper provides strength without bulk. |
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Whenever possible, the librarian repairs loose
hinges before they crack or detach. Using a long thin rod or a knitting
needle, polyvinyl acetate (PVA), a flexible, pH- neutral adhesive,
can be applied underneath the endpaper to tighten the hinge. |
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