How Libraries Can Use Their Thermal Binding Machine To Rebind Trade Paperback Books

After months and years of use and abuse, soft cover library books eventually come apart. To prevent the covers on soft cover books from tearing, many public and school libraries cover their paper back books with a clear self adhesive covering. However, this doesn't prevent the covers from eventually separating from the book blocks on these books. Fortunately, there is a simple way to repair these books using a thermal binding machine.

In many cases, soft cover books can be easily repaired using a thermal binding machine. If the book has begun to come apart and there is plenty of glue left in the spine you can simply place the soft cover book into your thermal binding machine and re-heat it. When the glue from the spine is adequately heated it will become soft and re-adhere the book block to the cover. After the book is heated and the glue is softened simply drop your bound book onto the counter to ensure that the book block is settled securely in the glue and let the book cool.

Ideally, every soft cover book could be fixed by simply reheating it in your thermal binding machine (no binding supplies required). However, sometimes there is not enough glue remaining on the book block to secure it to the cover of the book. To rebind a book in this situation, it is necessary to use a thermal binding glue strip. These glue strips come in 1 inch widths and twelve inch lengths and can be easily cut with a pair of scissors to fit inside the detached spine of your book. After cutting the glue strip to the correct width and length and inserting it into your cover, simply reinsert the book block and drop the book into your thermal binding machine. The thermal binding machine will melt the glue and adhere the book block to the cover. Just drop the heated book onto the counter and let it cool on the cooling rack of your thermal binding machine.

Although this procedure will work with almost any thermal binding machine, it is recommended to use the Coverbind 5000 which can bind books up to 2" thick. Most other thermal binding machines such as the GBC T100 or the BindIt Perfect Bind II will only bind books up to 1" thick and many trade paper backs are thicker than this. Additionally, the heaters in the Coverbind 5000 binding machine are designed to get hotter than the heaters in most other thermal systems. This makes the Coverbind 5000 better suited for reheating the glue that is originally used to bind most trade paper backs.

The Coverbind 5000 costs approximately $700 is smaller than a laser printer (only 16.5" x 9.25" x 8.75") and at only 7.5 lbs it can easily be stored when it is not in use. The Coverbind 5000 can be used to repair books, bind soft cover books, bind hard cover books and can pay for itself several times over by prolonging the life of your books. The Coverbind 5000 comes with a 1 year warranty, requires no maintenance and is safe and easy to use. Every library should consider owning one.

Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for http://www.MyBinding.com. He has written over 100 articles on binding machines,binding supplies, binding covers,and more.