Pamphlet Binding

Overview

The library sometimes acquires very thin materials, such as government pamphlets and sheet music, that cannot be placed on the shelf as-is.

To make these items shelf-ready, we either send them to our binding vendor or bind them in-house.

Materials Required

• Archival pamphlet binders, assorted sizes (Gaylord item series # BBBB)

• Handmade cardboard mat with groove down the center (see photo)

• Bookbinder's awl (Gaylord item # WW AWL)

• Bookbinder's needles (Gaylord item # 769)

• Bookbinder's linen 18/3-ply, 50 gm Irish thread (Gaylord item # LT183A)

• Beeswax

• Scissors

Procedure

1. Prepare the string.

Cut a length of linen string approximately twice as long as the pamphlet you are binding.

Run the string through the beeswax to make it stronger, help it slide through the holes, and make the string knot better.

Thread the needle.

2. Make holes in the pamphlet cover and the pamphlet.

Place the pamphlet cover on the mat, with the binding of the pamphlet cover in the groove.

Place the pamphlet inside the pamphlet cover and locate the center of the pamphlet.

Center the pamphlet vertically within the pamphlet cover.

Holding the pamphlet and pamphlet cover at an angle, use the awl to punch a hole through the pamphlet and cover in the center of the binding and approximately 1¼ to 1½ inches from the top and bottom of the binding.

3. Sew the pamphlet into the cover.

A) Place the needle in the inside center hole of the pamphlet. Pull the needle and string through the hole on the outside of the cover. Leave about 3 inches of string on the inside.

B) Thread the needle and string through the hole at the bottom of the pamphlet, from outside to inside.

C) Thread the needle and string through the hole at the top of the pamphlet, from inside to outside.

D) Bring the needle and string back through the center hole, from outside to inside.

E) Cut the string, leaving about 3 inches of string on the inside.

F) Make sure the two tails of string are on opposite sides of the string that runs up the inside center of the pamphlet binding.

G) Tighten the string and tie off the tails using a square knot.

F) Trim the tails, leaving about 2 inches in case you need to re-tie the knot.

4. Process the pamphlet as per procedure.

Process the pamphlet normally, adding label, label protector, property stamp, and theft strip.

You may wish to place the pocket label on the cover of the pamphlet binder instead of on the inside back cover.

Here is a video illustrating the process:

Here's what the pamphlet sewing mat looks like: