Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books (document)

Bookbinding is the craft of assembling and securing the pages of a book with covers, often involving materials like leather, cloth, and glue. Conservation of books involves preserving and repairing valuable or fragile books to prevent deterioration, ensuring their longevity. Conservators carefully clean, mend tears, stabilize materials, and sometimes rebind books using techniques that respect the original design. This process maintains both the structural integrity and historical integrity of the book, allowing future generations to appreciate and study them while minimizing further damage.