Hello, Ling-li,
You bind everything?! That must cost you a fortune. We bind paperbacks only after they've circulated enough to show wear. Many publishers now produce paperbacks that are quite durable and which hold up well to moderate levels of circulation. Books in need of treatment are identified when they return to the Circulation desk and are routed to Technical Services.
We apply a flexible laminate covering to new paperbacks as part of the shelf preparation process. Filmolux(r) is a well-known brand, but there are others. It isn't exactly cheap, but it can be applied by student library workers, and overall is cheaper than commercial binding.
I worked for many years in preservation, and my thinking is that, if a paperback book circulates only rarely, binding it before sending it to the stacks is a waste of money. It's more effective to train your circulation staff to identify books that need rebinding or repair after they're returned by borrowers, and send them for binding at that point.
I'd be glad to discuss this with you further, if you like. My contact information appears in my signature.
Sara R. Williams
Sara R. Williams
Library Director
College of Saint Mary
7000 Mercy Road
Omaha, NE 68106
(402) 399-2467
swilliams_at_csm.edu<mailto:swilliams_at_csm.edu>
From: colldv-request_at_lists.ala.org [mailto:colldv-request_at_lists.ala.org] On Behalf Of Chang, Ling-Li
Sent: Monday, July 1, 2019 3:11 PM
To: colldv_at_lists.ala.org
Cc: Chang, Ling-Li <LCHANG_at_luc.edu>
Subject: [ALCTS-colldv] Binding Paperback Books
*** Apologies for cross posting ***
Hello Collection Development colleagues,
I am interested in getting information related to binding paperback books to help my colleagues and me to revisit our existing policy. For years we have been binding all paperback books immediately after they are added to the library collection. We recently decided to revisit this policy as part of our desire to exercise best practices. If you have done evaluation or research related to paperback binding, do you mind sharing any relevant information? I also have a few specific questions and would appreciate to hear your library's policy and practice.
1. Do you bind paperback books? Why do you bind them or not bind them?
2. If you bind paperback books,
a) Do you bind them all or selectively?
b) When do you bind them, for example, when new or after X number of uses?
c) If you selectively bind paperbacks or if you don't bind them when new, what methods do you use to alert cataloging and circulation staff to send or not send books for binding?
3. For paperback books which you do not bind, do you apply any protective/reinforce treatment to them? If yes, what kinds of treatment?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Best,
Ling-li
__________________________________
Ling-li Chang
Head, Monograph Acquisitions & Cataloging
Loyola University Chicago Libraries
Tel: 773.508.2651
Email: lchang_at_luc.edu<mailto:lchang_at_luc.edu>
Received on Mon Jul 01 2019 - 18:22:00 EDT