Brittle Book Process

Owned by Heather Baker
Last updated: Nov 21, 2022
3 min read

Scope:

Contact: Lesley Looper

Unit: Resource Description

Date last reviewed:  06/30/2022

Date of next review: 06/30/2023

Processing Brittle Materials and Rebinds


Sort by size, reviewing the book to see if it needs to be processed in-house (PV) or outsourced (PB).  Use Preservation Template to decide--THICKER; WIDER; TALLER THAN THIS--IN-HOUSE on Template. Effective July 1, 2022, we are sending larger books to the vendor, up to 11" wide, 14" tall, and 2" thick (spine). Once sorting is completed, follow instructions below for processing.

When working with brittle materials, you need to do the "Double Fold Test": Do the brittle test on the last significant page in the book.  Fold the upper or lower corner of the page forward and backwards.  If the corner breaks, it is too brittle for rebinding, and needs to be processed for Boxing. If it does not break, then it needs to be placed on a rebind truck or shelf. Please consult the BAMM Associate if there are any questions about whether the page broke or just folded.

For Brittle Books (outsourcing Boxing-PB) do the following:

  • Run labels and re-label books on the spine if possible; if not possible, place on front lower left cover. If there is no cover, place on lower left first page.
  • Change IPS in Aleph to PB=Bindery-boxing
  • Place books on a truck and route to the BAMM Associate for review.

For Rebind books

  • Run labels and re-label books for rebinding on title page

  • Change IPS to RB=Ready to Rebind
  • Please review call number/title in Aleph if the book has a volume enumeration which may be a serial or a set. Write a note on a scrap piece of paper and leave it sticking out the top of the book.
  • Place books on a truck and route to the BAMM Associate for review.


Processing for  Conservation for boxing (too brittle for rebinding) or pambinding:

  • If in house boxing, you may need 2 call number labels; one for affixing on the book and the other to attach to PV flags.
  • Scan barcode in Aleph and change IPS from Standard Loan to PV.
  • Place PV flag in book and check off "Box" or "Box and send to LSC", whichever is appropriate.
  • Once the books are completed, place in a flip-top bin to protect the materials. If there are no flip-top bins available, email someone in RBMSCL Collections Services at Smith or someone in Conservation and ask for one.
  • Once a week or as often as needed place the bin in S&R labeled with "Conservation" sign and date it for Shipping staff to deliver.
  • For all unbound material you are sending to Conservation, you need to scan the barcode in Aleph and change the IPS from Standard Loan to PV.
  • For all books that are in good enough shape to route directly to the LSC, you do NOT need to change the IPS.
  • If you are not sure if a book needs rebinding or boxing, place a blue flag in it and place it on the Bindery Review Shelf.

Special notes: Use plastic bags for paperbacks or hardbacks that are falling apart.  It is preferable that you do not use pink strings because they can damage the materials.


GX call numbers Process

  • It's ok to have a "GX" call number, which is the old way of classifying "Gift" books. Just make sure it's on the spine for PB or on the title page for RB. All GX call numbers are shelved at the LSC so make sure the book has a LSC flag.

Ex. GX15943 (this is the correct way the GX call number should look)

Prepared by Gwen Faulkner, Sept 2011 Updated by Corrina June 30, 2022