[padg] Re: deferred binding of paperbacks

[Andrew Hart <ashart@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

We started deferring binding for new paperbacks about 10 years ago and I 
continue to think it was a good decision. We bind after two 
circulations, although it is not unusual for a paperback to circulate 
three or four times before it is routed for binding. Our criteria for 
binding right away are similar to those Shannon described for Michigan 
-- thin, large, spiral, comb, needs a pocket for accompanying materials, 
poor leaf attachment, cover design will catch on other books, fragile. 
Each year about 3% to 5% of paperbacks sent to Preservation for binding 
after circulation show some kind of damage, most of which is minor and 
sometimes would have happened even if the book had a hardcover binding.

Our decision to bind after two circulations was based on the ideas that 
use is a predictor of future use and, for those books that will be used 
enough to warrant binding, it makes the most sense to bind before they 
sustain much wear and tear. We also wanted to keep procedures as simple 
as possible so we would not wind up sinking our savings from fewer 
bindings into higher costs for labor-intensive sorting and 
decision-making. Under that rationale we excluded non-circulating 
materials from deferral. Prompted by gloomy budget projections, we're 
revisiting that decision and thinking about deferring binding on some 
soft-cover reference materials and serials that look and behave on the 
shelf more like monographs. We have not decided yet if we're going to 
apply some systematic measure of use, take a more intuitive approach, or 
wait until signs of wear or damage. I am reluctant to stop using 
circulation threshold for binding for circulating materials because of 
the risk of eroding the overall condition of the collection but I don't 
think we can rule out moving to selection based purely on condition. I'm 
interested in how others who defer binding for non-circulating materials 
handle selection for binding.

Andy

Andrew Hart
Head, Preservation Department
CB#3910, Davis Library
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Tel. 919-962-8047
Fax 919-962-4450
ashart@xxxxxxxxxxxxx




On 2/13/09 5:22 PM, ademarinis@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> Can anyone report on recent results from the practice of sending new paperbacks
> directly to the stacks as-is -- wihout stiffening, kapco, or commercial
> binding? Do they hold-up well? Do they create shelving problems?  I've seen
> some discussion on this in the archive a few years back.
>
>
> -----------------------
> Anthony De Marinis
> Preservation Librarian
> Washington University Libraries
> Campus Box 1061
> St. Louis, MO 63130
>
> tele: 314-935-4287
> fax: 314-935-6353
> email: ademarinis@xxxxxxxxx
>