SELECTION OF A BINDER
Since library binding differs widely from other kinds of binding, it
follows naturally that it is best to have this work done by men who
understand its special requirements. Unfortunately, there are
comparatively few binders who make a specialty of this kind of work.
Librarians of most of the smaller libraries are forced by local
prejudice to give their work to the local binder or to the nearest
outside binder in order to save the expense of transportation. If the
work is sent to the local binder, it must be sent to one who is doing
other kinds of binding and to whom the library work is, in a way, a
minor consideration. He would object if the work were sent out of town,
but the total amount of the library work is small compared with his
other work. Such binders usually have one way for binding all books
(except those which come under the head of blank-book work) and the
library books go through the regular process of being sewed on twine and
put into covers with no special reinforcements. The materials used are
not the best and the workmanship is generally poor. Local binders,
realizing that the funds are usually inadequate for the needs of the
library, frequently do this work at a price which at first sight seems
cheap. When, however, the poor service which the bindings give is taken
into consideration the price is really very high. Many of these binders
have been in business for years; and although they may be good workmen
and do honest work, they are very sure that they know more about binding
than any librarian, and it is with difficulty that they can be prevailed
upon to adopt suggestions.
It is only fair, of course, that a library which is supported either in
whole or in part by public funds should, when possible, have its work
done by residents of the town. For this reason, therefore, the librarian
should learn in just what ways good library binding differs from other
binding. All the good materials and processes, and all the various
methods of strengthening a book should be studied carefully so that the
binder can be told exactly how the work should be done. The binder will
probably rebel, but perhaps he can be converted and the effort is worth
while.
If the binder fails to grasp the ideas of the librarian, or refuses to
carry them out, the work should be sent out of town to a good binder,
for deference to local prejudice does not require that the efficiency of
the library be impaired. When work is sent out of town the librarian is
somewhat at a disadvantage, for no examination of the work can be made
while the books are in process. That the binder chosen should do honest
work goes without saying. The work of a dishonest or incompetent binder
always shows in the poor service which the books give, but inasmuch as
dishonest work is generally covered up, it takes time to discover it.
Therefore, great care must be taken to select a good binder in the first
place. Librarians who are in doubt should consult the librarians of
large libraries, or apply to the Binding committee of the American
Library Association for the names of reliable binders.
While librarians should be able to give suggestions to binders who are
not accustomed to library binding, and failing that should exercise good
judgment in selecting a binder at a distance, they should not expect the
impossible. The writer has seen books sent to binders which were in such
bad condition that no binder could bind them satisfactorily. Some
librarians expect too much of a binder; others do not realize that they
are not demanding all that they should receive.
Having selected a competent binder the librarian should not insist that
unimportant details be done according to his own ideas. If the binder
understands that he may have the work only so long as he follows the
specifications faithfully, one may safely leave the details to him.
It should further be borne in mind that good binding is seldom obtained
at low prices. A library book well bound requires good material, good
workmanship and special reinforcements which take time. Since the
largest part of the cost of a book is due to the labor spent on it, it
follows that low prices can prevail only in those localities where the
cost of labor is below the standard.
Since workmanship has as much to do with good binding as specifications
it is not wise to submit specifications to different binders for bids.
It is better to ask binders to submit samples of their work with
specifications of the way in which the books are bound. If, however, it
seems wise to ask for bids, it is far from wise to choose the lowest
bidder unless absolutely assured that the workmanship and material will
be satisfactory.