Book Blogger Hop

The Book Blogger Hop was originally created by Jennifer @ Crazy-For-Books in March 2010 and ended on December 31, 2012. It was relaunched on February 15, 2013 by Billy@Coffee Addicted Writer. Each week the hop will start on a Friday and end the following Thursday. There will be a weekly prompt featuring a book related question. The hop’s purpose is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog. 

This week’s topic is:

Have you ever attempted to repair a damaged book? 

All the time! I am a school librarian and repairing books is part of the job. Especially because I work at a small underfunded school, I have to make the books last as long as possible.

I have done just about every repair you can think of, from a simple torn page to repairing the binding. Of course there are times when I can not save a book. There has just been too much damage, but most times I at least try. The worst damage and the ones I can’t usually save, is when a kid has a liquid, usually juice, leaking in their backpack next to the book. The book usually ends up getting moldy and just disgusting. Those I just usually end up throwing away. Water is the second worst although if I can catch it in time, I can sometimes salvage it, although the pages are usually somewhat wrinkled.

I usually repair books once or twice a month. I usually keep a stack going in my office and then will take an afternoon to take care of them. Sometimes it is easier to do many at once especially when there is glueing needing to be done. Less mess and clean up that way. Sometimes I am just too busy to get to it sooner.

I kind of enjoy the process of repairing a book. But it also a bit heartbreaking to see books treated that way as well. But that is part of being a librarian and the life of a well loved library book.