Notes on Bookbinding for Libraries

"Notes on Bookbinding for Libraries" by John Cotton Dana is a guide created to teach librarians about the best ways to preserve and repair books, written in the early 1900s. The book wants to educate librarians on how to bind and rebind books so they last longer and stay in good shape, explaining why it's so important to take good care of them. It's meant to help people understand the technical parts of bookbinding and how to keep a library's collection in great condition. The book starts by explaining that it's full of ideas and tips, but it doesn't give all the answers about bookbinding. Dana points out that many librarians in America don't know much about how to bind books properly, so he hopes his book will get them interested and help them improve. He shares a story about when he learned a lot about bookbinding in Britain, showing why librarians should learn about this topic. In general, the beginning of the book promises to be a thorough exploration of binding, with the goal of making library books last longer and be more useful.