Library and Information Science

Purpose: In surveys on the preservation of library materials, there is an increasing focus on the condition of binding. In particular, adhesive-bound books have problems with regard to durability. This study set out to determine the actual condition of adhesive-bound books in university libraries, and to reveal how university libraries perceive adhesive-bound books and how they deal with damaged books.

Methods: A condition survey for books in high-frequency circulation and interviews with the staff in charge of collection management were performed. A condition survey checklist was drawn up based on the Keio University Library survey 2009, with the addition of back broken and loose page subdivisions. In the analysis, loose pages that could lead to missing information were regarded as serious damage, and we investigated loose pages in conjunction with other types of damage. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at six large university libraries with large collections. The interview was typed up, and the information was organized according to question items.

Results: The results of the condition survey were as follows. 1) Adhesive-bound books have problems with durability compared to sewn books from the viewpoint of loose pages. 2) Soft cover books with hotmelt adhesive tend to have many loose pages. 3) Hardcover books with emulsion adhesive are more likely to have split gutters, but less likely to have loose pages at the same location as the split gutter. The results of the interviews indicated that 1) the staff of university libraries are aware that adhesive-bound books can be easily damaged, but 2) they are generally unaware of whether a broken book has adhesive binding and do not maintain statistics regarding this issue. 3) Due to other tasks for which they are responsible, as well as budget restrictions, librarians cannot address the issue of adhesive-bound books with an appropriate level of awareness. Although there are problems in the durability of adhesive-bound books, university libraries are not equipped with systems to cope with damaged books.