Shall books be sent to the bindery when in greatest demand?

YES, when they cannot be circulated further without permanent injury to them.

Such books should be hastened through the bindery by statement to binder regarding immediate need. If your present binder cannot bind promptly, find one who will.

The prompt rebinding of a book more than doubles its life. If the book has been reinforced at first sign of giving way (see page 16) all the temporary assistance that can safely be given has been rendered and if the book is of permanent value to the library it must be rebound.

WHEN TO MEND

When the stitches are not broken or loosened, and still hold sections firmly together.

When the joints are loose.

When the book has once been rebound.

The tendency among librarians is to mend too much before rebinding. Mending makes rebinding more difficult and jeopardizes the life of the book.

It is only in rare cases, as for example when a book is out of print, and yet valuable to the library, that a second rebinding is justified.

WHEN TO REPLACE

Will it be cheaper to mend a book and, when its short life is done, withdraw and replace with a new copy?

YES, when the original cost is less than rebinding.

Note—In the decision to replace, the labor of accessioning and withdrawal must always be taken into account.

The fresh, clean copies of the "easy books" and other good, inexpensive juvenile books are to be preferred to rebound copies. If the original binding is so poor that a second copy would shortly be in the same condition as the first, it is then advisable to send the book promptly to the bindery for recasing, preferably before circulating.

Greater durability is thus insured. If the book has an attractive original cover it is preserved and the value of the book enhanced thereby.

YES, when the paper is of such poor quality that the leaves break away from the stitching.

YES, when the book is extremely soiled; replace, even if it costs more than rebinding.

YES, when a new edition, or better books on the same subject have been published.

In replacing fiction, inexpensive editions are available for many popular titles in the Grosset & Dunlap edition, Burt Home Library, Everyman's Library, etc.

Some inexpensive editions rebind and wear as well as the first editions. Others because of narrow margins or quality of paper do not pay to rebind. A little observation and experience will soon prove what titles can be rebound to advantage.

THE MENDING TABLE: ITS SUPPLIES

A piece of glass or white oil cloth, cut to fit the size of the table, will be found most conducive to cleanliness, as it can be quickly and easily washed.

Paste. Mixed paste or powder form. See page 12.

Cloth. White outing flannel, cheese cloth and cheap grade of canton flannel, purchased by the yard at any dry goods store.

Art Vellum in assorted colors, cut in strips.

Muslin cut in strips.

Paper. Onion skin bond, cockle finish, 9 lb. weight cut into strips for use; tissue paper.

Brushes. Flat, rubber-set photographer's brush, about 1 inch wide; also artist's round bristle 1/2 inch thick.

Scissors. Slender, six-inch blade, good quality.

Knife. Shoemaker's long blade, square at end, or common paring-knife purchased at hardware store.

Folder. Bone, purchased at stationer's.

Needles. Sharps, No. 1, or any strong and not too coarse darning needle.

Thread. Hayes' linen, No. 25; Barbour's linen, No. 40.

Pressing tins. 6 × 8 in., obtained at tin shop. Zinc is pleasanter to use and will not rust.

Cleansers. Wash for pages; wash for book covers; powdered pumice stone; art gum, sponge rubber.

Shellac. Consult local druggist or paint dealer regarding the best white shellac.

Press. An old letter-press can usually be purchased locally for a small sum. Prices on new copying press 10 × 12 in. obtained of local stationer. If press is not secured, old pieces of marble can be used. Bricks covered with paper make good pressing weights.

A local bindery or any binder's supply house will furnish mending materials; also price list and samples of materials may be obtained from the following:

Democrat Printing Co., Madison, Wisconsin.

Gaylord Bros., Syracuse, New York.

PASTE, THE MENDING MEDIUM

Paste may be used with less danger of injury to the book than glue, and is the only mending medium which should be used on books that are to be rebound. Under no condition should mucilage be used on any book which is to be rebound. Some librarians persist in doing this and then expect the binder to do good work. Glue should be used only by experienced menders.

Use. Paste for small surfaces is more evenly spread with the finger, and there is less waste than with a brush. Spread thinly, using only enough paste to make paper stick securely.

Thick paste spreads more smoothly than thin and is not taken up quickly by the paper. This is an important point, for if the paper stretches or expands the work can not be done in a satisfactory way.

Provide cheese cloth cut in small pieces for use in rubbing down the pasted parts, and for keeping the fingers clean, etc. These should be used only a few times.

Cleanliness and neatness are absolutely essential to good mending.

There are various powdered pastes on the market used by book-binders, bill-posters, paper-hangers and others. Spon Tem or Steko, manufactured by Clark Paper & Twine Co., Rochester, N. Y., and Rex Dry Paste, Geneva, N. Y., are both excellent in adhesive qualities and easily prepared, mixing with either hot or cold water and without cooking.

An excellent mixed paste is made by the Commercial Paste Co., Columbus, Ohio, called Gleich's "Gluey" Paste. This, as its name implies, has some glue mixed with it and is quick drying and strongly adhesive. Arabol Book Glue, Arabol Mnfg. Co., 100 William St., N. Y. City, is highly recommended. Purchase in large or small quantities. The various pastes used in the school "hand work" are good, and come under the general name of school pastes.

Recipe for Flour Paste. Mix a thin batter of flour and water, cook and as it thickens add hot water until right consistency and until thoroughly cooked. It will be well cooked when all milky appearance of the flour and water has disappeared and when bubbles of air begin to explode