A beloved novel returns to the circulation desk—its pages torn, spine loose, and corners dog-eared. The content is still in demand, but a replacement isn’t immediately available. What now?

 

Welcome to the daily repair routine of public libraries. Whether it’s a children’s book, a nonfiction title, or a travel guide – heavily used materials quickly show signs of wear. But not every damage means the end for a book. With the right materials, tools, and a few professional tricks, many damages can be easily and professionally repaired.

 

1. A typical Monday morning in the library …
   (Properly Repairing Torn Pages)

… the return bin is full, and the team sorts by genre, age group, and condition. Among a popular children’s book and a classic novel, a nonfiction book catches your eye – its pages open, revealing a fine tear in the middle. Not a total loss, but one that would worsen over time.

Tear Analysis: Examine the tear’s nature. Smooth tears can often be repaired on one side, while frayed tears require treatment on both sides.

Repair Technique: Use ultra-thin, pH-neutral repair paper that aligns with the paper grain and remains invisible when copying or scanning.

Application: A Teflon bone folder helps smooth the tear before repair and evenly apply the repair material.

We recommend filmoplast® P! 

 

2. Tuesday morning – a young adult book with a loose page …
   (Professionally repairing torn-out pages and damaged edges)

 

… a group of sixth graders returns their books. Among colorful covers and sticker remnants, a young adult novel stands out – a double page lies loose inside, with edges already slightly torn. Not an unusual sight in day-to-day circulation – but one that should be addressed quickly and properly.

 

Inserting pages: A stronger repair paper is ideal for reinserting torn-out pages. Carefully position the page without tension so the book’s structure isn’t further compromised. Then apply adhesive evenly to ensure lasting hold.

Reinforcing edges: If the page edges are also damaged, stabilize them with suitable repair tape. The adhesive must adhere securely without affecting the delicate paper structure.

Application: Use a bone folder to precisely position and press the repair tape – keeping the fix discrete and fully functional.

 

We recommend filmoplast® P 90!

 

 

 

3. Wednesday afternoon – a nonfiction book with a loose cover …
   (Stabilizing the inner book joint)

… a frequently borrowed nonfiction book is returned. When you open it, the cover starts to detach from the book block – a clear case of a weakened inner hinge due to repeated use.

Prevention and repair: The connection between book block and cover endures a lot of mechanical stress. Reinforcing this area with a tear-resistant, flexible, extra-strong adhesive strip can prevent damage or stabilize it once it has occurred.

Application: Apply the material flat into the joint to keep the book flexible and easy to open.

Ideal: filmoplast® P 90 plus 

 

 

4. Thursday afternoon – a novel with a damaged spine …
   (Protecting or replacing the book spine)

… a classic novel is returned after its twelfth loan this semester. Readers clearly enjoyed it – you can tell by the rounded corners and worn spine. The structure still holds, but the book is showing its age. Now is the time to take protective measures to extend its lifespan.

Minor damage: A transparent protection film may be enough to stop the wear from worsening.

Major damage: If the spine is severely damaged or missing, a textile fabric tape can be used to replace it. It molds to the book’s shape and reinforces the structure.

Use filmoplast® T and filmolux® 609

 

 

5. Friday morning – damaged games and media packaging …
   (Repairing board games and media boxes)

… after the school week wraps up, a stack of learning games and multimedia boxes ends up on the repair cart. Torn corners, bent boards – signs of enthusiastic use. In school and children’s libraries, these are everyday challenges – but they’re also repairable.

Repairing game boards: Torn or damaged boards can be stabilized using durable textile tape.

Reinforcing packaging: Cardboard packaging for multimedia items (like book + DVD sets) can be repaired with protective films or fabric tape to extend their usability.

Recommended: filmoplast® T and filmolux® 609 

 

 

6. Friday afternoon – a detached book block …
   (Rebinding the book block)

… a large-format art book lands on the return table. When opened, the entire book block is loose – it has separated from the cover. This isn’t rare in heavy, well-used media, and it requires a stable yet flexible repair.

Preparation: Carefully remove old glue from the book spine.

Repair: Reinforce the clean spine with a flexible textile strip, then reattach the block to the cover.

Use filmoplast® SH 

 

 

7. Saturday morning – checking storage conditions …
   (Managing environmental factors)

… even on the weekend! During the routine check of your storage area, you notice a musty smell and slightly wavy pages in a section of the collection. A quick measurement confirms high humidity. Consistent climate conditions are essential – not just for rare titles, but for everyday media, too.

Storage: Maintain a stable room temperature (18 – 22 °C / 64 – 72 °F) and relative humidity (40 – 50 %).

Protection: Avoid direct sunlight and remove dust regularly to prevent damage from UV exposure and dirt buildup.

 

Conclusion

A typical week in a public library comes with a wide range of repair needs – from torn pages to detached spines. But with the right tools, materials, and know-how, most of these issues can be solved quickly and effectively. Routine inspections and proper repair routines help protect resources and keep your collection in circulation.

Explore our full range of repair tools and materials:
https://www.neschen.de/en/product_category/book-care-repair/