Binding: A Librarian's View

Henderson, William T.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/1573 Copy

Description

Title

Binding: A Librarian's View

Author(s)

Henderson, William T.

Issue Date

1969

Keyword(s)

Serials control systems

Abstract

There are two valid reasons for binding serials: preservation and convenience. Other reasons may be given or may be apparent at times, such as the prestige derived from a complete bound run of a particular title, or inertia which allows continued binding of unneeded materials rather than weeding out copies and titles no longer within the scope of a .collection. In most of the larger libraries there probably are examples of binding for both of these reasons, and others also; but, for the most part, the majority of our serials are working stock, not show stock, and they must earn their care and space. Most of what is bound is done so in order to preserve it for future use and to make it more convenient for present use. By preservation I really mean two things; and, although I was taught that one should not use a word in its own definition, I really must use the word preservation again in defining it here. We must simultaneously preserve materials on two levels or fronts. On the one hand I mean preservation in the sense of keeping or saving from harm, but in its second and more specific meaning, I would like to link preservation to the word permanent as it is used by the paper chemists and book conservators. Permanent paper is paper which is so chemically constituted that it will retain the major part of its original strength and other attributes over a long period of time 300 years or more. Papers with this capability are made of well-purified cellulose fibers held in a solution which is nearly neutral or slightly alkaline, which tests very near a pH of 7 on the chemists' scale for measuring acidity or alkalinity. Paper of this kind will last a long time, especially when it contains small amounts of a mild alkaline compound which will buffer acid compounds deriving from the atmosphere, ink or other sources. Materials printed on such papers must be bound to take advantage of this.

Publisher

Graduate School of Library Science. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Series/Report Name or Number

Allerton Park Institute (16th : 1969)

ISSN

0536-4604

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/1573

Copyright and License Information

Copyright owned by Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 1969.

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