[LM_NET] HIT 2: Inquiry: elusive library word

[Currier Barbara <b_a_currier@YAHOO.COM>]

I got more replies, including instruction, so I've put
a second hit together. Thank you to the helpful
responders. BTW, I asked Demco's Betty Barkema (many
library folk in the US western states know her) and
she says "breaking in." I'd say there isn't a
proprietary word. It has been interesting. I'm glad I
asked.

Barbara

----
"Breaking in" sounds much better than what I was
taught: "Breaking" the book. Of course, we meant
properly breaking (in) the book. I'm sure most of us
don't bother with this any more. I stopped just a year
or two ago when I felt my volunteers (students) were
too enthusiastic and doing more harm than good. . .
 
Part of the job was also checking paging sequence and
checking for damage during the printing process. I
once found one book of a set that had a double
sequence of page 41 - 60 and no 61 - 80 (or whatever).
I sent that back and got a replacement. On rare
occasions I've had a book bound upside-down in the
cover, another with the wrong book (text) in the right
cover. Considering I've been in school libraries for
18 years, I've found very few problems to warrant the
time. Most of the problems I've found recently have to
do with picture books or prebound paperbacks having
pages stuck together at the edges. The other one is
picture books with flimsy stitching. I've started
running a line of Norbond along the visible stitching
(then set aside for a day or two until dry) when it is
new before it has a chance to break or stretch. Seems
to help.

------

I was taught "easing in" a book.

________

I don't remember where I heard the term, but it was a
while ago.  (Hard to believe I've been a librarian for
32 years!) I think it was "easing" the spine or
"easing" the binding - I forget which.  In this
process, you put the spine on the table holding the
book perpendicular to the table, gently fold down the
back cover - not forcing it, running your finger
gently down the fold.  Do the same with the front
cover holding the pages up with your other hand.  Turn
some of the back pages, running your finger gently
down the fold.  Do the same at the front.  Go back and
forth till you reach the middle. Then close the book
and start reading.  

______

The phrase I always use on a new book is "breaking in"
a new book.

-----

Barbara Adams Currier
Former Modesto City Schools LMT 
Modesto, CA
Now with Albany Public Library
Albany, Oregon
b_a_currier@yahoo.com

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