BINDING ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT:

If we consider the practice in various libraries,  we can conclude that there is haphazard organisation of binding in most of the libraries. Binding has not generally received the  attention that has been, given to acquisitions, cataloguing, circulation and reference. In some libraries binding is combined with acquisitions; in others binding may be the responsibility  of the  periodical department, the maintenance section, the circulation department or the cataloguing department. 

The scope of book conservation covers a series of tasks from the  time of receipt (or even before) or a library materials to the time of discard. The tasks include - selection of material keeping in view its usability and useful life; examining conditions of all materials  acquired; providing proper storage and housing in accordance with its conservation needs as well as  its use; assuming responsibility for its condition at all times: ensuring its proper handing by staff and patrons; inspection and supervision of collection in  order to identify the materials needing conservation; deciding  on the proper treatment of all material needing attention; supervising  the treatment and, deciding on storing and discarding. 

It can be readily be seen from the  above outline that binding is the concern of the library and not of any one department. It is for this reason, that binding is not easily integrated into the standard organisational pattern and so  has not received the systematic approach given to other aspects of library services. Recognition of binding as a part of  a total programme of conservation would result in  giving appropriate status for the binding work/division. 

The responsibility of a Binding Division/Section/ Department in a library is towards the newly accessioned and catalogued books received in an unbound state or with unsuitable binding. The Division must prepare for rebinding the previously  bound volumes in the collection which have become worn out or damaged.