DIY A Book Repair Video Showcase
Ranked #2,674 in Healthy Living, #50,293 overall
Learn To Repair Those Broken Books!
PLEASE Repair the "everyday" books that are on your shelves. If at all possible, do not send them to a landfill. This page presents the best videos about book care and repair that I could find. Hopefully, you will learn a technique that will help you save your beloved books.
To help you understand why repairing books is a "green" thing to do, watch the video The Story of Stuff below. It will change your whole outlook on throwing stuff away.
The book shown to the left was definitely repaired incorrectly. Of course, the owner thought he was doing a good job. Unfortunately, he used duck tape (aka duct tape) thinking that it was long lasting. Guess what? Duck tape only lasts for a few years. It can also do harm to the paper.
It is not always easy to make repairs the correct way. One reason is that the products to mend those broken tomes are difficult to find and to choose. Believe me, I have tried to find repair products (like glue) in craft stores. Sometimes the best sources have been online.
Below you will find several "How To Videos", some supply sources, and other information on preserving your beloved books.
By all means, extend the life of your everyday books! It is my goal "to save the world, one book at a time".
Contents at a Glance
Repair Books?
What is your opinion about repairing a real book?
Please remember that you should not repair collectible items or antique books yourself! Find a professional book repair artisan or company.
Responsible Book Care
How to take care of books so they will not need repairs --
This short film provides informative lessons about preservation and proper book care. My personal favorite on this video is showing you how to properly photocopy a page from a book. Don't break that spine!
Bet ya did not know that there is a proper way to take a book off a shelf! Well, watch this 10 minute video to find out how.
Three Simple and Common book repairs you can make:
1) Drying wet pages 2) fixing loose spines or covers 3) removing pencil marks
Three minor book repairs you can easily do. One tip that I really like is using an "ace type" bandage on a book after the repairs are made to maintain the book's shape.
Repair a torn page with adhesive (glue):
Supplies needed: pva glue, bamboo skewer or small paint brush, waxed paper
Use Japanese Rice paper to tip in a page or fix a tear:
Repairing a Torn Page with tape:
I love that the instructor states that one should not use tape if the book is valuable. But sometimes one is forced to use tape. This video demonstrates a responsible way.
Note: According to the National Library of Australia, "Adhesive tapes are OK if they are used on something we wish to keep for only a few months, sticking a note on the milk bottles or wrapping a gift but as a rule, avoid using tape on anything you want to retain long term. The main thing to remember is not to use adhesive tapes to repair any paper item that you wish to keep permanently."
I prefer to use a PVA book repair glue, acid free if possible. Keep on scrolling down to the Amazon links to see what I recommend.
How to fix a loose page
or a page that has come out.
Loose Hinge Repair:
How to tighten a loose binding --
A video made by Demco that promotes their product. You can use a glue of your own choosing, however.
Repair a Loose Page, a loose section, or a torn page:
Remember, these techniques should not be used on true antiques or valuable books!
Reattaching a Book Binding:
If your book is valuable or antique, you should send it to her to fix; do not risk ruining it.
Beginners Guide to Book Binding
Info on Binding a book to repair non-valuable books
Basic Book Binding Techniques -- powered by eHow.com. This video shows how to drill holes in a book to fix a binding. It uses cloth tape to cover the spine.
Learn to Fix a Child's Book--
Re-glue a book cover.
Straighten Bent Book covers:
Make Book Covers for protection
Make your own book covers easily.
Covering your books will protect them from dust, sunlight, fingerprints and ordinary wear and tear.
How to make a simple book weight for your own repairing projects:
Free Book Repair Manual:
- Conservation Book Repair: A training manual by Artemis BonaDea
Book Repair Supplies on Amazon
An Instruction book, glue, and yes, tape.
Thinking about Professional Book Restoration?
THE STORY OF STUFF -- a video that will turn you green!
Makes you think twice about not making book repairs:
- The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard
- THE STORY OF STUFF
Thanks for visiting my "Book Repair Video Showcase"!
Let me know if you found these book repair videos helpful.
Do you have another video or site you want to share?
Also, if you do not agree with the methods and recommendations here, please feel free to make a statement. I do not bite.
Put your reports here. Thanks again for visiting!
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KReneeC
Apr 6, 2012 @ 4:37 pm | delete
- This lens is so helpful! Thank you so much!
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ZodiacImmortal
Sep 20, 2011 @ 6:34 pm | delete
- is the Loose Hinge Repair: How to tighten a shaken binding Suppose to be audio only? Becasue that screen is black for me,
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Mickie_G
Sep 22, 2011 @ 12:03 pm | delete
- Thanks for the heads up about the broken video. I will replace it with an even better video.
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DanMoriarity Aug 27, 2011 @ 4:28 pm | delete
- Thanks for posting this. It's a great resource for preserving old books and the memories that go with them. Great lens idea!
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DavidDove Aug 21, 2011 @ 11:32 am | delete
- Soooooo helpful, thank you.
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by Mickie_G
Welcome!
I have been repairing my own books for years. I have made many mistakes, too. Hopefully, I can help you make responsible decisions about repairing...
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