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Treasures of our Memorial Library Our One-Stop Book Repair Service In many "public service" programs, materials of various kinds are loaned to members of the public, of all ages up to the "sunset years". Inevitably, many such items - perhaps books or audiovisual items - are eventually returned in a more-or-less damaged state, needing skilled repair before returning to the shelves for redistribution. In our library, such care is offered only for our own books, which have been returned after some battering or bruising in the public's hands. No such service is offered to the public for repairs to books in private hands. The types of "therapy" supplied cover a wide range, from transparent lamination of dust jackets(one of the commonest procedures) to replacement of missing or mutilated pages. Naturally, the innate value of a book, (whether it is a fine encyclopedia or a pulp fiction novel), or just its popularity, may determine if it is worth repairing or is simply discarded. In the latter case, it may be sent on to the Friends of the Library for possible sale. If the option of repair(s) is chosen, the volume is directed to the tender care of our one-and-only "book doctor", Barbara Mercer, who was formerly a mathematics teacher. Occasionally she gets some brief help from Erica Osburn, of the Technical Services Department. Barbara has managed our repair work here for fourteen long years. Before she took on this exacting role, book repairs were being handled in a rather desultory fashion by various staff whose regular duties left little time for reconditioning damaged items. When she took on this specialized task, Barbara faced a disheartening store of ailing books, all more or less in need of tender, loving care. Her dogged and dedicated work gradually reduced the deep piles of waiting "patients", so today she is able to keep up with the demand, though she gives it only two full days a week. She estimates that she repairs usually between 50 and 80 volumes each week. The range of book repairs managed here demands much patience and many skills. Loose pages must be glued in their proper places. Where they have previously been fastened in place by transparent tape, this is generally removed because with time it tends to turn brownish in colour and to lose adhesive power. A new repair then follows, with delicate application of a special plastic-based glue. The library needs a lot of it. It comes in big plastic flasks, each containing three and three quarter liters, so the staff has no trouble sticking around. (Continued on page 4)