Adhesive-bound books are a problem familiar to most students. Even large, heavy books are bound adhesively at the spine. Whether because of handling or adhesive breakdown, the pages begin to fall out, or the paper on the spine breaks and the book cracks into sections. Adhesive and spine lining paper alone are simply not strong enough to hold the weight of a large book together, and all adhesive will fail eventually. Traditionally bound books utilize a mixture of structure, sewing thread and adhesive to ensure long-term survival.
Adhesive Binding: Im Fall Gespiegelt. Gathmann, Stefan.St. Ottilien: EOS Verlag, 2008. Regenstein: BS1545.52.G38 2008
Photo by Melina Avery
Under Covers: The Art and Science of Book Conservation