Library binding?

[tamzin]

Does anyone know what the description "Library Binding" actually means? I've been looking at 3 editions of a book in pb, hb and library binding and if I remember rightly the last one was the most expensive but wasn't stated to be either pb or hb. I'm a bit confuzzled!

[susanb]

A library binding could be one of two things: a book intended for library use, generally a very sturdily bound hardcover. It might never have made it to a library (I have one or two of those), but mostly they are going to be ex-library

The other is a library RE-BOUND book....a book that has been through the wars in a library and become so dilapidated that the only way to keep it in circulation is to re bind it...take the cover off and rebind the pages with a new cover. The new cover us usally VERY hardcover and plain, though occasionally they transfer onto the cover an image of the original cover art.

I'll see if I can find examples on ebay to post

here's a copy of a library rebound book with the picture transfered:

www.ebay.com/itm/From-Casablanca-To-Berlin-Landmark-Ex-Lib-Rebound-/370564194569?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item564758e109#ht_371wt_1255

And here is what the book in it's original dustjacket looks like:

www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=9366646686&searchurl=an%3Dbliven%26pics%3Don%26tn%3Dcasablanca%2Bto%2Bberlin

as you can see, only a simplified version of the cover art is transfered directly onto the boards of the library rebound

[haffyfan]

This is a library binding book i bought - Susan's 2nd option seems to be the one mine is.

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[tamzin]

Susan and Haffy - Thanks for the info, links and photos. The one I was looking at must have been one originally bound for libraries because it was a new copy, but I've always wondered about rebinding in book descriptions and this explains it.

BTW what did you think to Crofton Meadows? I thought it sounded good and I've got a copy, but it's on my tbr shelves.

[Claire]

Often in the case of library bound the book will have the dustjacket laminated to the boards - ie the dustjacket will not be a separate entity but complete un-detachable from the book. Not sure if haffy's copy of Crofton Meadows is like that as it won't let me enlarge the pic. Sometimes the jacket, especially in newer library books will have just been encased in a plastic sleeve (how well I know that stuff having worked in a library for years and put them on 100s of books!) I actually really like those library copies as if you remove the plastic the dustjacket is often in near fine condition. I know some purists don't like them but for this reason and cos they are usually cheaper, I have no problem buying library copies.

BTW hope you don't mind moved to the general books section.

[haffyfan]

The image is like a transfer on the boards claire, i do have some books with the laminated on Dw you speak of though, it's such a shame as like you i'm not against library copies (cheaps always good) and like you have found they can have perfect jackets under the grotty plastic.

I've read very good reviews of crofton Meadows tamzin but i'm afraid to me it read a little like vintage chestnut hill. Well maybe not that bad but i'm glad my copy was only a couple of pounds as i've seen it in 3 figures.

[Deleted]

I've had a few Library copies that once you take off the awful grubby old plastic cover, the DJ is pristine underneath.

I don't like laminated boards.

[Claire]

Oh I know what you mean now haffy. A lot of American library books are like that, I've got a few Patsey Gray ones similar. The picture seems to wear away pretty easily as well. I am not sure if they all had dustwrappers originally - maybe Susan or Rallycairn will know.

Yes Rosie I agree if the jacket is laminated to the boards the plastic gets very tatty and grubby. Another bugbear is when someone has sellotaped the plastic sleeve to the inside cover and when you remove it, it leaves a horrid tape mark or tears off some of the pastedown. If you fit the plastic properly you don't need to sellotape it as it fits too snugly to come off - badly trained library staff!

[susanb]

Claire, the books will always have had dustjackets to begin with.....they were loved to death and beyond by the readers of that particular book. I'm not sure why some library rebounds had the picture transfer and others didn't.....I'm guessing that it was a more expensive technique? Or maybe only a few binders offered it?

Anyway, I don't think it even happens any longer.....if a book is loved to death it's just pitched into the discard pile and that's it. If it's no longer in print, it's certainly not replaced (if funds are tight it mightn't be replaced even if it IS in print)....which is a WHOLE lot worse than a bad rebinding style!

[rallycairn]

Just to clarify, though, original library bindings are quite nice -- I believe they usually had the original artwork in full color imprinted on the front board, and no dustjacket, but like Susan said, the binding and covers are extra sturdy and made to stand up to library wear.

[Claire]

Thanks for the info susan and rally. I've never seen those picture transfers on British library books. I dont think we ever did that over here. I always wondered why the pic seemed to wear away on those books and now I know!