BINDING ROUTINE

In preparing books for the bindery and keeping binding records a regular routine should be adopted which should be followed as closely as possible in order to avoid errors. Each library should adopt a routine suited to its needs, modifying when necessary the following suggestions.

Binding Routine for Small Library

1. Examine book, noticing condition, completeness, t.i.tle pages, indexes, etc., and decide how book is to be bound.

2. Underline on t.i.tle page the first letter of words which must be lettered on back. Pencil call number on reverse of t.i.tle page.

3. If volume is a periodical or a volume in a set make out binding slip giving volume number and dates.

4. File book cards at loan desk.

5. Send books to bindery.

6. When books are returned check bill with books to see that no mistake has been made in charges.

7. Replace book cards in books.

8. File slips for periodicals.

Binding Routine for Medium-Sized Library

1. Examine books for binding noticing condition, completeness, plates, t.i.tle pages, indexes, number and condition of copies, editions and various other points noted under "Preparing for the Bindery."

2. If the book is a periodical find t.i.tle page and index. A special record ought to show when these are due and which periodicals do not publish them. Arrange exactly as the book is to be bound.

3. If the book is a periodical consult file showing how previous volumes have been bound and make out a binding slip with carbon copy, making such changes as are required by changes in t.i.tle, date and volume number. The binding slip should be laid in the front of the book.

4. If the book is one of a set see if other volumes have been bound.

5. For books, not periodicals, indicate lettering by underlining on the t.i.tle page the first letter of each word that is to go on the back.

6. Indicate color, material, volume number, call number, etc., on a binding slip which should be laid in front of the book. If the shipment is all fiction and no call number is used it will not be necessary to make out any slip of instruction. A blanket order may be made saying that all books are to be bound in a certain way.

7. When ready to send to the bindery, remove book card or carbon copy of binding slip. Leave slips containing information for the binder in the book.

8. Pack books and send to the binder, notifying him of the date of shipment and the number of volumes sent as follows:

96 vols. to be rebound.

25 vols. of periodicals.

3 vols. to be recased.

4 vols. of corrections.

2 vols. of samples.

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(It sometimes happens that a volume of a set is going to a binder who did not bind the previous volumes. In such a case the second binder has no "rubbing" and a sample volume or a "rubbing" must be sent.)

9. Stamp carbon slips, and book cards after the last charging date, with the name or initial of the binder and the date sent.

10. File book cards and carbon slips alphabetically by author, or first word of t.i.tle in the case of periodicals.

11. When books are returned from the bindery see that bill is correct.

12. See that books are lettered correctly, returning such as are incorrect.

13. Remove book cards from the file and place in the books.

14. Letter book pockets or book plates with call number and accession number, if this is the custom of the library.

15. Send periodicals and other books which have not been properly recorded to the order or accession department to follow regular routine for new books. Books that have been rebound may go directly to the shelves.

16. File binding slips for periodicals and destroy slips for previous volumes.

17. If it is the custom of the library to enter cost of binding in the accession book it will be necessary to put the accession number and cost on the binding slip. These slips may then be arranged numerically by accession number and the cost entered in the accession book.

Routine for Large College and Reference Libraries

The routine just given is as simple as can be made without endangering the safety of books. It is not sufficiently accurate for the large libraries, especially the college libraries which bind a large number of periodicals belonging to many departments, each department being obliged to pay for its own binding. This requires complex records in the binding department. In order to eliminate as many mistakes as possible it will be necessary to have a binding card for each periodical and for sets.

(See Fig. 31)

This card has a line for the t.i.tle, a place for the description of the binding, and is ruled on both sides. On the right-hand side it is ruled in three columns--price, sent, returned. The lettering may be indicated by vertical lines in the t.i.tle, one for change of line in the same panel, two for change of panel.

Harper's Magazine

Color Style ==================================================== Volumes

Price

Sent

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FIGURE 31. Size 5 3 in.

When no volume of a set is at the bindery the card is left in a permanent file of bindery cards. When a volume is sent to the bindery the card is transferred to a temporary file, showing what periodicals are at the bindery.

1. Examine volumes for completeness; see that all numbers of periodicals are included and arranged in proper order. In the case of books examine quickly for missing signatures. With both books and periodicals leave page collation to the binder.

2. Make charging slip and send to the loan desk. Books for departments should be charged in the departments and not at the loan desk.

3. If a periodical, find t.i.tle-page and index (if one is not published there should be a note to that effect on the binding card); and if separate, lay inside the volume.

4. If volume is part of a set examine binding records to see if other volumes have been bound. If no record is found in binding files look in catalog and order records to see if other volumes are already in the library, or have been recently bought and are not yet cataloged. If it is desirable to match exactly old sets bound elsewhere, make a "rub-off"

for the binder and indicate the material and color. If the volume is one of a new set make decision in regard to style of binding and order a sample back.

5. If a periodical, get old card from "binding returned" file. In the case of new periodicals and books a card must be made, and the binder instructed to make a sample back for future use. Enter volume on card (one volume a line, unless several volumes are to be bound together).

6. Fill out binding slip (see page 154), indicating full lettering, proper s.p.a.cing, style and material. Also make note on bottom of slip for such directions as "make sample back," "include all front covers," "no t.i.tle page or index published," etc.

7. In the case of separate books it will be necessary to make out a card similar to the periodical binding card to be used in sending invoice of shipment to the binder.

8. Place binding slip in front of volume; tie up periodicals and lay aside with the volumes waiting to be shipped.