Conservation versus Commercial Binding Guidelines

Scope:  The following guidelines apply to physical volumes (books, serials, pamphlets) and supersede all previous binding guidelines. They represent efforts to simplify the decision-making process for DULCS staff who need to route cataloged materials either to Conservation Services or to the Bindery and Monograph Maintenance (BAMM) Team in the Resource Description department for commercial bindery treatment.

Contact: Lesley Looper

Unit: Resource Description

Date last reviewed:  01/27/2022

Date of next review:  02/10/2022

The Conservation Services Department has agreed to the use the Stiffness Test* for all paperback volumes. In this context, volume means a single monograph, a volume in a multi-part monograph or serial, or a pamphlet.  All volumes that pass the stiffness test and that do not meet any of the following criteria will go to their final destination unbound. Please note that it is impossible to document every possible scenario and that, on occasion, staff will still need to consult with BAMM or Conservation Services.

Staff may continue to use the Binding template to measure height and width; or choose to use a ruler that measures in centimeters.

Use Conservation Flag & Complete Contact information Section when any of the following conditions are true:

1. The item is ≤ 25 cm tall or ≤ 20 cm wide and:
   • Item is Brittle, Fragile or Damaged (Place Brittle materials in a plastic bag)
   • Item fails Stiffness Test
   • Item has Thin Cover Stock that is not significantly stiffer than a piece of printer paper
   • Item has Exposed Spine
   • Item has Accordion-Like Fold binding
2. Item contains Loose Material and the loose material is small enough to be tipped into or placed in a pocket of the main work. If the loose material extends beyond the cover or is > than 1/8 of an inch (.32 cm.) thick, consult with Conservation Services or BAMM
3. Disc in or in need of a pocket

Note:  Volumes routed to Conservation Services should include a blue Conservation flag, have the item record IPS updated to PV in Aleph, and be placed in the appropriate mail bin in Shipping and Receiving, Bay 10.

Use Bind Flag when any of the following conditions are true:

1. The item is > 25 cm tall or > 20 cm wide and:
   • Item is Brittle, Fragile or Damaged (Place Brittle materials in a plastic bag)
   • Item fails Stiffness Test
   • Item has Thin Cover Stock that is not significantly stiffer than a piece of printer paper
   • Item has Exposed Spine
   • Item has Accordion-Like Fold binding
2. Item has a Spiral or Comb binding
3. Loose Leaf material that extends beyond the cover of the volume and/or that is > than 1/8 of an inch (.32 cm).  Place loose leaf material in plastic bag
4. Item has Uncut pages (un-opened folds)
5. Periodicals designated for Stacks