Unbindable paperback books

How do other institutions handle out-of-print paperbacks which are
not brittle, but not bindable?

My library traditionally does not bind paperback monographs until
they show signs of wear and tear.  Unfortunately we are finding
an increasing number of books which are: 1) no longer in print, but
still under copyright; 2) falling apart; 3) not brittle; 4) printed
with such narrow margins that the commercial bindery can't cope
with them. What do other institutions do with monographs which fall
into this category?  I am reluctant to declare them "brittle" by
default.

Sara Williams
Preservation Librarian
University Libraries
SUNY-Albany
Albany, New York
SW981 [at] albnyvms__bitnet

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 4:24
                Distributed: Thursday, November 1, 1990
                        Message Id: cdl-4-24-003
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