Shepard Memorial Library, Greenville, NC. Photo by Lauren Clossey, NC State Library

Book Repair. It’s become an important calling for me, and something I am passionate about. The week of June 16-20, I taught book repair workshops in Greenville (Shepard Memorial Public Library), Hillsborough (Orange County Public Library), and Asheville (Enka-Candler Public Library). Library staff are to get information about how to repair their books. They are full of questions and care passionately about their collections. After a workshop they applaud and shake my hand, while saying nice things to me. This experience is almost overwhelming and super gratifying. After a week of teaching book repair, I am thinking about how important libraries are to every community, and, what a powerful role they fill in our country. We are so lucky to have these wonderful places, each library customized to its location!

Shepard Memorial Library, Greenville, NC

I began the workshops in Greenville at the Shepard Memorial Public Library. The students were really engaged and anxious to learn anything they could. These folks worked in the libraries of Pitt, and other surrounding counties, usually in Technical Services or Circulation. They all wore multiple hats in their jobs, and sometimes that involved book repair. It was a good crowd who paid close attention and asked great questions. I tried to show them by demonstration how to solve their book repair problems. That approach worked for the most part. The easy-to-complex agenda began with tipping in a loose page, then tearing Japanese tissue, using heat-set tissue, and replacing a spine. The NC State Library set up these workshops, and gives each attendee a little book repair kit of basic items: PVA adhesive, a bone folder, small knife, mini-spatula, and a little Japanese tissue and heat-set tissue to take hone. This sets them up for successfully continuing the things they have learned.

Orange County Public Library, Hillsborough, NC

The next workshop was in Hillsborough, which is a super creative-feeling town. I felt a strong artsy vibe there. Much of the class came from the Orange County Library system and when they started arriving, it was like old home week. So many happy people chatting throughout the day. We laid down beads of PVA adhesive (polyvinyl acetate), tore strips of Japanese paper, ironed down heat-set tissue, and created new spine pieces for damaged books.

Billy Strayhorn, who played with Duke Ellington, and wrote several of his hit songs, lived in Hillsborough

Following the activities of practicing repairs, I demonstrated a variety of repairs: replacing an end sheet (this holds the text block to the book cover), repairing paperbacks, and corner repair. If attendees bring any books from their library, I often repair those, or, tell the individual the best solution to repairing their book. I could tell by their comments and questions that they both needed this information, and enjoyed getting it in a practical, step-by-step way.

Orange County Public Library, Hillsborough, NC, Photo by Lauren Clossey, NC State Library

The third workshop was held on the outskirts of Asheville, in Enka-Candler. This town, was home to the American Enka Company, which produced Rayon during the depression and World War II. The Enka-Candler Branch Library is located in the former company store and post office of the Enka Company (Enka was a Dutch company, and the name came from the sound of the letters “N” and “K” in Dutch). That library was cute and busy!

The week I traveled across North Carolina was rewarding. I met so many devoted library staff and still feel their enthusiasm. I hope to be able to teach more workshops in the future.

Enka-Candler Branch Library, Enka-Candler, NC,
Photo by Lauren Clossey, NC State Library