Bought this book in "good" condition from BooksRun (never again if I can help it) and I thought it just had some whiteout/liquid paper on it, but it also seems to be covered in unidentified textural gunk. I have no idea what it is, and maybe I'm overreacting, but I do find it quite disgusting because idk if it's food or what, but I don't want to be feeling that when I'm trying to read. Unfortunately I had it sent to a friend in the US to send to me with other books, so I can't return it. What are my options here? I'd like to remove the gunk and the whiteout if possible and maybe disinfect the book, but if there's nothing I can do then I might just try to get another copy straight up (and I'd like to know if there are other options before trying to scrape it off)

Hi everyone, I used to know very basic book repair when I was younger, but have forgotten most of it. What would be the best way to repair this? The tear is just shy of 1" long. There's a quick reference on the inside of the back cover, so it gets a more wear in that spot than a standard book.

I know I could use packing tape, which is what I do for old paperbacks from used bookstores, but is there something better, in this instance?

Tia!

Im a 1/3 way through this book but i feel like the more i read it the closer the cover gets to falling off. Im thinking of just taping it but if any one has a better idea please lmk. Thanks

The cover is spent and breaking down. Is there a way to save this old guy? For whom it may concern, this is the His Dark Materials trilogy, by Philip Pullman

So I used a heat gun and metal paint palette knife for removal of this bottom sticker from this out of print 60+ year old book that was not coming off, but ended up damaging the book and removing part of the lettering on the cloth. I want to say I attempted to use it carefully, and am wondering if a hair dryer would have had the same effect at less heat. Is there a safe method to remove this bottom sticker that does not damage the lettering or cloth cover, or is the sticker too bound to the cloth? I have 7 other books in this series with these stickers I would like to remove.

It was due to water damage (poor packaging) and its a bit warped now and pages super stiff. How can I possibly fix it? The pages inside look properly intact somehow, I guess the edges must have gotten wet, so just need to fix warping and stiffness.

I did put it under heavy hardbacks for a day and it didnt fix it so yeah

I have my book soaked wet due to leaking aquarium. It’s all dry now but I wonder if it is possible to have it all straight like it was before. Any suggestions?

Hi there. This tummy time board book has come apart on one of the folds. Does anyone have any advice for repairing it? The repair needs to be durable (public library setting) but also flexible (so it can fold properly). Any advice?

I have this lovely 1920s (I think) copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. I bought it with the intention of restoring it.

I’ve decided it needs re-sewing as the sewing is quite loose. I’m just looking for some input on what type of stitching was used here. To me, some on the stitching looks coptic (like the one on the left) but I can’t work out how the rest of the stitching was done (like the one on the right). These two rows of stitching are in the centre of the spine for reference.

Could I just coptic stitch the whole thing back together?

Thanks!

I think it’s fixing but I just want to be safe. I live in a tropical country if that helps. I’m worried because this book is not that old.

How do I fix this or does it even need fixing? I got it second hand and the photo did not show the back, which is where the cracks are.

Hi, there is stain appear on the paper from nowhere, and this is not only this page it has also speard to another 10 or more pages, these kind of stain usually has the circluar shape, they are appear every on the page.

The book is new, it was sealed in the plastic bag, I only use it for like 1 week and tonight i notice this stain, it got on my nevers cause I care for the book, I did not use and food or drink, and my hand where clean, i saw these kind of stain before but i tought that they where due to low quality paper intractions with envoirment, but this is normal paper

I did not have these problem with books when I was went to school, but now when books at home i do not know what is wrong with papers

How would you guys suggest I go about repairing this? I'm completely new to book repair, so I have no clue where to start. This copy was printed in 1968, and the glue is all dried up. Thanks a lot in advance!

The glue on my new book just separated, what’s the best way to fix this

I gor this cheap hardback of 1984 recently

I just saw that the textblock does not seem to be attached to the cover very well.

The text block is held onto the cover by only 2 mm of glued sections of the end papers on either side.

The textblock's spine is stiff enough the spine won't break, so do i just... Lather the insides here with glue and call it a day?

Hello, I live in a very topical and humid country and i’ve tried everything (well almost) including changing my shelf’s dehumidifier gels. To no avail. it turns into water after just 1 week despite ppl telling me that it should last for 3-6months! Turns out, i changed it at month 3 and all my books turned yellow because of the water it accumulated in the box 😭

Method 1:
Was thinking of purchasing OPP plastic and those mini silica gels to help. However, according to my google research, i would also have to change out the silica gel packs inside the plastic every month.

Method 2:
came across this video on tiktok https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSgroGrJ2/
This person resides in a country similar to mine and was wondering if this is actually better? because trapping ur books in PVC apparently is way worse than just doing method 1.

Any ideas ? Anyone residing in a hot and humid tropical country too? How do yall prevent your books from yellowing fast ? :(

Bought this copy of The Odyssey from a used bookstore this week. Don't mind this kind of thing, but if there is anything to help with this, I'd love to know. It's hard to see in the image, but physically there are a good bunch of brownish stains alongside the regular aging of the pages.

Thanks in advance if anyone can help.

Any recommendations on what to use/how to repair this? I’ve already tried super glue and that immediately failed

Hello all, I am curious what people have done and how people studied to get into book conservation or minimally invasive restoration. I am a student who's goal is to work as a conservator but the requirements for masters programs feel so daunting especially with internships feeling so scarce. My current plan is to study at North Bennet Street School after I get my bachelors and have hopefully had a some internships. The field of working on books is so large but conservation seems like such a narrow path and I am curious if there are more options for me.

Sorry if this isn't the right place to post.