Topic: Binding as conservation: practices, evolution, and challenges for the future

Bookbinding is an ancient practice in libraries: it is used to protect the book, optimize its use, giving it robustness and security during consultation and handling, and at the same time contribute aesthetically to improving and embellishing it, sometimes turning it into an artistic object. But after several centuries of practice, how is it still used in libraries today? Is it still used as a form of preservation and for functional reasons? And what materials are used in bookbinding? And by whom? Who are the bookbinders today?

This webinar aims to promote the discussion of these topics by presenting the results of a questionnaire launched by IFLA’s Preservation and Conservation (PRESCONS) Section and with contributions from various professionals from around the world.

Moderator: Sónia Casquiço, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation – Art Library and Archives, IFLA PRESCONS Standing Committee Member (Secretary)

Programme – In Portugal time zone – Webinar starts at 15:00 CET

14:00 Opening address: Sónia Casquiço

14:05-14:15. Introduction: Ornella Foglieni, Chair of IFLA PRESCONS

14.15- 14.35. Bookbinding Practices 2022 Survey Results, Céline Allain, Bibliothèque Nationale de France and Vicki Lee, National Archives and Records Administration, USA

Preservation and Conservation strategies

14.35– 14.55: Bookbinding policy at the National Library of France, Philippe Vallas, Bibliothèque Nationale de France

14.55-15.15: Library of Congress Binding Program Overview, Adrija Henley, Chief of Preservation Services Division, The Library of Congress, USA

15:15-15:30: Break

Who are Bookbinders?

15.30-15.50: A French bookbinding and conservation training academy operating throughout the world, Theophile de Bonnaventure, Director of La reliure du Limousin, France.

Techniques across the world

15.50-16.10: Challenges in the conservation of archival bindings, The National Archive of Torre do Tombo, Anabela Ribeiro, Carla Lobo e Sónia Domingos.

16.10-16.30: Methodology of ambulant bookbinding repairs in The National Library of Czech Republic in Prague, Petra Vávrová The National Library of Czech Republic, Czechia.

16.30.-17:15: Q&A, Final remarks, Conclusion