Original post:
1) What laminate product do you recommend for covering paperback books,
i.e. easy readers, series, fiction books? The LM_NET archives indicated
a preference for Kapco products however I am searching for
cost-effective laminate on rolls rather than individual book covers.
Some folks had mentioned clear contact paper (clear laminate) bought at
Home Depot or Wal-Mart. I'm not sure that purchasing individual rolls of
contact paper is cost-effective. I am curious to see if anyone is using
such products as Demco or Gaylord book covering laminates that come on
rolls, etc...
Analysis of responses:
Demco Laminate: 7
Demco Vistafoil: 3
Highsmith Vistafoil: 4
Highsmith Repositionable: 1
Contact Paper: 5
3M Clear book tapes: 1
ClearSeal: 1
Demco VistaFlex & Circ Extender: 1
* * * * * * * * * *
Individual Responses (LONG):
Because I live in Costa Rica, this may not be relevant, but I usually
order from Highsmith. I've been able to buy similar roles at Office
Depot at a much cheaper price, and they work just fine.
* * * * *
We've used Vistafoil from Demco for many years and are very pleased with
it.
* * * * *
I like using Highsmith's Vistafoil. This seems to work well and hold
up.
* * * * * *
We use the Demco rolls for our hardcover books, and, in fact, have just
finished a recovering project. It makes the older titles look new and
shiny. We use clear contact paper for all paperbacks. We are able to
order it through our central warehouse. We also cover paper textbooks,
and charge the cost of the rolls used to the various departments. My
assistant has developed a system for doing all this, and trains our
student aides to help. Parent volunteers would also be useful, if one
has access to them.
* * * * *
I use the repositionable book covers from Highsmith. They come precut
in various sizes, but Highsmith also offers several types of roll covers
which are probably the same thing. The biggest problem I have with this
type of cover is getting it done smoothly--no air bubbles--especially if
you have aides doing the covering. I'm kind of picky about the way the
books look so that's an issue for me. However, these covers do protect
the books and help keep them clean and corners from getting torn.
I like Highsmith for most supplies. They are easy to work with, prices
are comparable and everything comes quickly, orders filled accurately.
* * * * *
We use Highsmith Vistafoil "self-adhesive-delayed-action" laminate. It's
repositionable and does help extend the life of paperbacks.
* * * * *
When I worked at a K-8 parochial school, we used clear contact paper and
it seemed to serve us well (very limited budget also). With younger
students, the paperbacks take quite a beating - especially the popular
titles! Home Depot is where I would go purchase larger rolls of the
contact paper and I think it was about 75 sq ft.
In my current position I use laminate on rolls from Demco & they seem to
be easier than the contact paper (because the contact paper is thinner
too), could be I'm just better at the process. It is definitely about
double the price.
* * * * *
I use 3M clear book tape in 3" and 4" sizes for all paperback books. I
have a dispenser for each size, and it is quite easy to apply. I get
most of my supplies from Highsmith. (http://www.highsmith.com) so you
can get an idea of costs. I order six rolls of each size each year, and
that works out pretty well for me. Right now I'm out of the 3" size, but
have several of the 4: rolls left.
* * * * *
I use the Demco Vistafoil laminate. We have used it for 8 years in our
MS library with a heavily circulated PBK section. I can truthfully say
that we have not lost a "laminated" book due to cover damage. (Covers
coming off, pages falling out, yes, but nothing that the laminating
could prevent) It's well worth the time it takes to cover them and the
money spent on the product.
* * * * *
Personally, I would recommend using contact paper for paperback books,
but if you want to purchase from a library dealer then I would use
Demco. I like the quality of their paper. I would also not cover the
entire book -- just the spine and outer edges.
* * * * **
I was lucky enough to find a very cheap approach last year. Our school
uses a cold laminator for posters. When the laminator claims that its
rolls are "empty" and demands replacements, there are actually several
yards of sticky plastic left on each of the two rolls. The secretary in
charge of lamination gives them to me, and I use the plastic to cover
paperbacks. It's not always the simplest stuff to work with, but as far
as the library budget is concerned it's free!
* * * * *
I use Vistafoil, a product you can get through Demco, etc. I find it
really easy to work with and it's cost effective, too.
* * * *
Demco. Anything from Demco. Well, almost anything from Demco.*And being
excessive-compulsive, I take a fairly simple process and make it far
more involved than most people would. I use two products: Vistaflex 12"
x 400" 10 mil. laminate ($38.00 per roll) and their Circ Extender 3X
laminate gloss (price depends on size of the roll).
I use the 10mil stuff first, cutting it into two pieces to extend at
least 1/4" wider and taller than the book. I place it on the covers,
leaving the area of the hinge uncovered. Trim the extra off. Then, cut
the Circ Extender as a book cover, leaving enough to be folded over the
edges. Demco very nicely outlines the process I just described on the
paper backing of the Circ Extender, along with neat little graphic
examples.
A bit pricey and time consuming? Yes, but it adds a couple of years at
least to each book's shelf life. Also, the Vistaflex does bend and leave
a crease, but a kid has to really work to destroy a book (or drop one
into a creek besides their deer stand, or into a toilet, or whatever).
*The Circ Extender does come in a thinner, cheaper version, but it
simply isn't worth the time - it bubbles, it sticks to itself like
something crazy and I wind up throwing a lot of it away. As I've learned
to my cost, it truly doesn't pay to buy cheap.
* * * * *
I use Demco -- no problem.
* * * * *
You can buy large 15" rolls of clear contact paper that has at least
11/16 ' of contact paper wrapped around the core. You can do 2
paperback books that are 7 1/2 in. tall going across the width. You can
do quite a few from a roll.
* * * * *
I use Clear Contact paper purchased by the roll from Highsmith. Over
time it cracks and the books look worse than maybe not using it at all.
I like it for the fact of being able to cut to size, rather than the
pre-cut book covers, which tend to be thicker, and MAY last longer.
* * * * *
We use Demco laminate in our library and are quite happy with it.
* * * * *
I was at a small broke school district previously. I used clear contact
paper to cover paperbacks. Cheap and it works beautifully.
* * * *
I use the clear laminate from DEMCO and I much prefer it over the
contact paper from the home supply stores. It is more forgiving, has
good marking lines to cut straight, and smoothes out easily with the
bubbles you get every now and then. I have used both--I had a volunteer
that would buy Contact paper out of her own money and bring it in. When
I realized that, I started ordering and all of decided we loved the
DEMCO stuff. (I was in a small school with low to no budget so we
processed, cataloged, and covered paperbacks instead of going to
hardcover after we ordered off Amazon to save even more money. It
worked and so did we!)
* * * * *
I used Vista Foil from Highsmith for years. It costs about fifty cents
per book but is worth it in making the book last for years. It is much
easier to work with than contact paper and comes in a variety of
thickness. Kapco covers are great but much more expensive. Use a bone
folder to smooth the Vista Foil.
* * * * *
I use the Library Storehttp://www.thelibrarystore.com/. I buy their own
brand of "VistaFoil" which is "ClearSeal" that works very well. If our
4th and 5th graders can put a paperback "Goosebumps" through more than
70 readings, it works!
* * * * *
We use the roll laminate from Demco, and are quite happy with it. I
have used the Kapco products in the past, but prefer the Demco "Reddi
Rolls". The Kapco covers are more expensive, you have to have a variety
of sizes available, and they're stiff with sharp pointed corners. The
roll laminate does a great job preserving the books while keeping the
supple feel of a paperback.
* * * * * *
My library helpers use the Demco laminates. We have rolls in various
sizes & they pick the one that most closely fits the book. Personally, I
HATE covering paperbacks; but every year I have at least one student who
likes to do it & does a much better job that I can. (This is much easier
to use than Contact paper IMHO.)
* * * * *
Thanks to everyone who responded. Your input is greatly appreciated!
evie
Evelyn Reakes, Media Specialist
Queen of Peace Academy
Gainesville, Florida
ewreakes@qopacademy.org
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