1. Tools you will use for this job
Mylar Dust Covers
We use mylar on all books with jackets
Some are precut covers in standard sizes
And some are on rolls ready to be cut when the standard length isn’t right.
Tools you will use for this job
Tape & Scissors
Mylar
Bone folder

2. Mylar – General Information
A dust jacket on a book
Mylar covers are about 1” shorter than the book jacket
No more than ½” of the dust jacket may extend beyond the mylar on either edge

3. Step 1 – Choosing the correct size mylar
If the pre-cut mylar is too short measure the dust jacket and cut from the mylar roll
HINT – the serial numbers on the mylar end in the largest height jacket they will cover

4. Step 2 – Reinforce edges
Reinforce ALL glued edges of the mylar cover with transparent tape
Put one piece of tape in the center
Add two more pieces of tape (halfway between the center tape and the left and right edges)
Transparent tape

5. Step 3 – Place dust jacket
Mylar cover
The dust jacket is removed from the book and placed in the mylar
Dust jacket

6. Step 3 – Place dust jacket
Place dust jacket between liner and mylar cover
Slide dust jacket to top of the mylar cover
You may have up to ½ inch of dust jacket extending on either side of the mylar
Putting book cover in mylar; pushing to top
Right and left edge of dust jacket may extend beyond mylar
Right and left edge dust jacket may extend slightly beyond the mylar

7. Step 4 – Fold bottom cover
Be sure the top edge of the dust jacket is flush with the top crease, all the way to the top of the mylar cover
Fold the bottom of the mylar cover to the height of the jacket and crease
Folding the bottom cover

8. Step 5 – Crease the fold Neatness counts!
Use a bone folder to make a clean, crisp, crease
Bone holder
Crease

9. Step 6 – Tape bottom cover
Tape the bottom of the cover with 3 small pieces of transparent tape
Installing the first piece in the middle of the cover

10. Step 6 – Taping, continued
Install one piece of tape halfway between the center piece of tape and the left edge of the cover
Taping between the middle and the left edge

11. Step 6 – Taping, continued
Install one piece of tape halfway between the center piece of tape and the right edge of the cover
Taping between the middle and the right edge

12. Step 7 – Putting the mylar covered jacket back on book
Fold the cover carefully
Use the bone folder to get good creases
Let book “rest” in final shape for a while
Folding the mylar-covered jacket on the book

13. Step 8 – Securing the cover to the book things to remember
Use transparent tape to affix the dust jacket to the book – Never use magic tape
Most dust jackets will be taped directly to the book
JE books and some Special Collections books are different

14. Simple Taping
On circulating and reference collection books you may use the simple taping method
Tape is applied directly to the book and the mylar jacket
If you are concerned at all with how to tape a group of books, ask your supervisor for clarification

15. Simple Taping
Stand the book on its edge so the book is open and the dust jacket can be moved away from the cover

16. Simple Taping Using a piece of tape 3 to 4 inches long
Tape the dust jacket directly to the book
Tape the inside of the dust jacket to the outside cover

17. Simple Taping
Tape the top and bottom of the front and back of the book cover in the same manner

18. Special Taping
JE books and some special collections material with dust jackets are treated differently
Labels and barcodes are placed on top of the mylar and label protectors are used
Mylar covers are used and all taping is done to the mylar cover

19. Special Taping
Using a piece of transparent tape about 6 inches long, attach one end of the tape to the inside of the book jacket
The sticky side of the tape will face away from the book

20. Special Taping
Using a second piece of tape attach the tape to the opposite edge of the dust jacket in the same manner as the first piece of tape

21. Special Taping
Slide the book cover into position

22. Special Taping Fold the tape over the book boards.
The sticky side of the tape will be away from the book and the tape will wrap firmly

23. Special Taping
Fold the dust jacket flap over the book boards and the tape
Press the flaps of the dust jacket down so they adhere to the tape

24. Special Taping
The dust jacket “floats” inside the mylar cover and the mylar cover “floats” on the book
The tape is only attached to the MYLAR cover
Repeat the taping steps for the other side of the dust jacket

25. Special Taping
Some trucks of JE books will not have the dust jackets taped
Follow the directions on the checklist carefully
If there is any doubt consult your supervisor or the cataloger

26. Mylar Dust Covers Summary
Use the size closest to the dust jacket
Use transparent tape to reinforce edges
Use a bone folder to get crisp creases
Dust jacket should be snug in the mylar cover
Know what style of taping to use
And ask questions if you have challenges or doubts