Overview
Processing staff will perform simple repairs of torn pages of library materials in the general collection. This procedure is not to be used on rare or valuable books or Special Collections materals.
Materials Required
Filmoplast 3/4-inch tape
Scissors
Bone folder
White vinyl eraser
NEDCC Recommended Procedure
1. If necessary, very carefully dry clean the area around the tear with a white vinyl eraser. If the tear is long or the paper curving, place small weights on the paper to keep the tear aligned as you mend it.
2. Cut a piece of Filmoplast off the roll, long enough to cover the tear. Use several, shorter pieces if the tear is long or curves. (Hint: if you are repairing multiple tears in a session, the Filmoplast tape can be cut to a narrower width, thus conserving tape.)
3. Place the Filmoplast on the tear, leaving a bit hanging off the end. Fold the end over to the other side of the paper.
4. If the tear is large or torn such that the tear itself is wide, use tape on both sides of the paper.
5. Use the bone folder to rub the Filmoplast so that it "disappears" and is not visible.
6. Record the number of items mended, your initials, and today's date on the Mending Statistics Sheet. Each month, remember to add the total number of items mended in-house to the statistics spreadsheet in Google Drive.