Courses

 

Understanding Book Structures for Conservation

 

 

New Course Dates: Monday 20th to Friday 24th February 2023 - full

      

This 5-day course will introduce the materials, tools and techniques most commonly used in Western European bookbinding. By understanding the historical context and changing manufacture of binding production, students will gain knowledge of how and why some bindings fail whilst others stand the test of time. Simple but effective preservation solutions will be explored to mitigate common library collection problems.

 

Ruth Stevens ACR will lead the practical course at the SCC studio in the South Downs. Students will make three types of book: pamphlet, cased binding and flexible binding, each involving a variety of techniques. Through making, students will learn how materials work together and where inherent strength and weaknesses lie in binding structures. 

 

The last day of the course will be led by Caroline Bendix ACR. As the National Trust Advisor on Library Conservation for the past 27 years she has a unique and invaluable insight into the problems relating to historic collections combined with a wealth of experience in solving them. The students will visit a National Trust property in the area to be shown around the library which is currently undergoing a book conservation project.

 

Contact Ruth on 07857632846 or email sussexconservationconsortium@gmail.com for more information.