Basic Book Repair Class (Session 1)

Some types of book damage can be fixed in just a few minutes! We will look at loose hinges, loose spines, torn pages, bumped corners, and even pages falling out of paperbacks. I will demonstrate the quick fixes and then give you a chance to practice. By the end of this lively class, you will have a greater understanding of book mechanics and the confidence to care for your own books.

Students need to bring the following:

1/2” flat brush

Pointy brush

12” long (or so) bamboo skewers or long knitting needles

White polymer eraser

Books: Cloth-bound and (optional) paperback books that need to be repaired with the following kinds of damage:

• Loose inner hinges
• Loose outer joints
• Broken outer joints
• Unwanted marks on pages
• Loose pages
• Tears in pages (wide variety) This can be part of the others.
• Any books you have questions about.

Sophia S.W. Bogle has a diploma in Book Conservation from the American Academy of Bookbinding and has been restoring books professionally for over 30 years. Her website, www.SaveYourBooks.com, offers step-by-step video courses for book lovers and book collectors. She was recently featured in WIRED's Obsessed series, and can be found through Save Your Books on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, where she does live book restorations nearly every Thursday. Sophia resides in Oregon.