HBI/LBI Spring Meeting Quebec City, Quebec May 14-16, 2011 by Brian J. Baird Bridgeport National Bindery BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413)

Adhesives have been used for years in library binding. We will discuss polyurethane (PUR) adhesive being introduced into the library binding process. bnb BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413) BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413)

Library binders began using adhesive in earnest as a leaf attachment method more than three decades ago. Since that time we have learned a great deal about the working properties and longevity of various adhesives. bnb BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413) BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413)

The use of polyurethane adhesive (PUR) in the leaf attachment process has been a dream of the library binding industry for many years, and now technology has advanced to the point where it is possible to turn this dream into reality. bnb BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413) BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413)

In the 1980s publishers began working with PUR adhesive. This glue had been used widely in other fields such as furniture and auto manufacturing. By the early 1990s library binders were looking at PUR adhesive with great interest because of its notable qualities of strength, flexibility, and it ability to adhere to glossy and coated papers. bnb BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413) BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413)

However, the industry faced two major challenges that prevented the introduction of PUR adhesive into library binding: bnb BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413) The only binding equipment that could use this warm melt adhesive was large- run binders used by publishers. 2. The then current standard (LBI 8 th Edition) was not designed to adapt to new technology. BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413)

Bridgeport National Bindery produced over 70 volumes of various types that were evaluated by SGS US Testing Company, Inc. Half of these volumes were bound using the traditional PVA double-fan adhesive binding method. The other half was bound using PUR adhesive. bnb BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413) BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413)

The majority of these volumes were bound using 8.5” x 11” sheets of 60 pound coated paper. These volumes were all 2 inches thick in compliance with the testing standards laid out in the ANSI/NISO/LBI Z Standard for Library Binding. bnb BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413) BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413)

In addition to these baseline test volumes, Bridgeport also tested materials similar to what their customers have bound. These include:  Heavy glossy journals with bound in covers  Journals with normal paper with bound in covers  Paperback volumes  Textbooks  Printed pages (print on demand volumes)  Photo books printed on heavy glossy paper with print into the gutter bnb BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413) BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413)

PUR results were equal to or better than the PVA results in every test, and it is believed, based on these test results and other testing done in the industry, that one can confidently claim that PUR adhesive meets all the specifications of the ANSI/NISO/LBI library binding standard. bnb BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413) BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413)

Werner Rebsamen, professor emeritus at the Rochester Institute of Technology, and Technical Director for the Library Binding Institute, stated recently: If a binder can prove their PUR bindings are just as good, or better than their double fan bindings, they will get my approval. ( The Endpaper, December 2008) Werner has spent his career studying bookbinding and library binding. He has been active on the various library binding standard committees. Therefore, his opinion is significant. bnb BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413) BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413)

PUR bindings lay flatter than PVA bindings because the adhesive is stronger, so heavy notching and double-fanning are not needed. It is also more flexible, so it opens flatter. bnb BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413) BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413)

The binding equipment being used was developed for the print on demand industry. This is a dynamic, growing industry, so improvements in equipment should come regularly—helping library binders contain costs and insure that binding remains the cost-effective, preservation service on which libraries depend. bnb BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413) BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413)

Library binding is a wonderful example of how libraries and vendors have worked together over the years to develop useful product or service, and have adapted that product as times change and technologies develop. Polyurethane adhesive in another step in the development of library binding, and binders and libraries will need to collaborate again to implement this new technology in the most effective way possible. bnb BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413) BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413)

In the past year, Bridgeport National Bindery has been working with a number of our larger, more informed customers to develop PUR binding into their work pattern. We have some customers who insist on PUR as their default leaf attachment method. bnb BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413) BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413)

BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413) BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413)

Brian J. Baird Vice President of Library Services(800) Bridgeport National Bindery, Inc.Fax (413) Silver P.O. Box 289www.bnbindery.comwww.bnbindery.com Agawam, MA bnb BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413) BRIDGEPORT NATIONAL “Bound to Last” BINDERY INC SILVER STREETP.O. BOX 289 AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS (413) (800) FAX (413)