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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Assess physical condition of book to be rebound/restored
   • Physical construction and binding style of the book are identified
   • Areas of damage and weakness are identified and recorded
2. Identify and select treatment options
   • Paper and cover cleaning options are assessed
   • Paper and cover repair options are assessed
   • Ethical/rarity/value cost alternatives are evaluated
   • Treatment options are discussed with owner
3. Assemble materials for binding
   • Materials and equipment are assembled according to job specifications
   • Binding equipment is set up according to job specifications
4. Dissect/pull down book
   • Original page securing method and section structure are determined
   • Cover/endpapers, threads and stitches are removed with minimal damage to sections and text
   • Sheets and sections are cleaned with minimal damage
   • Dog-ears are straightened with old joints flattened
   • Book is pressed
5. Treat paper
   • Paper is cleaned using dry or wet methods as appropriate
   • Paper is de-acidified if necessary by most appropriate method
   • Paper is repaired and/or reinforced using appropriate methods
   • Paper is resized if required
   • New paper is tinted to resemble original if requested
   • Wire stitches or sewing threads are removed
   • Original adhesive is removed without damaging the book
6. Resew book
   • Appropriate sewing supports are selected and spaced according to job specifications
   • Consistent thread tension is maintained during sewing
   • Sections are aligned at the head
   • Swelling is monitored and controlled
   • Headbands are re-sewn if necessary
7. Forward book by hand
   • Old spine and sides and turn-ins are lifted and reattached if rebacking is necessary
   • Edges are knocked up into original alignment
   • Round and back spine are glued
   • Spine lining is attached
   • Appropriate corner repairs on coverboards are carried out
   • Boards are reattached
   • New covering material is tinted to resemble original if requested
   • Text blocks are covered or rebacked
   • Endpapers are pasted down or hinge realigned
   • Book is opened after pressing
8. Finish book by hand
   • Book is hand finished according to job specifications
   • Typeface size and type are appropriate
   • Design is in keeping with period of publication
   • An even embellishment is applied

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

correctly assess the physical condition and restore TWO books (one requiring rebacking and one requiring rebinding) according to job specifications, enterprise procedures and production timeframes.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

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Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

Determine physical condition of a book to be rebound/restored

identify factors that render a book unsuitable for restoration/rebinding and possible options to suggest

explain areas of a book most commonly in need of attention

explain how areas of weakness and damage are identified and recorded

identify and select treatment options

explain available paper and cover cleaning options

list methods of repairing a tear in paper

describe how to replace a missing corner of a book page

identify situations when there is a need to reback a book

describe steps to repair a coverboard corner

explain methods of treating aged leather

Assemble materials for binding

explain work health and safety (WHS) factors for restoring books

name tools used when gold finishing books

name adhesives used in book restoration and repair, and describe under what circumstances each is used

identify possible covering materials and indicate where each is used

explain styles of book edge decoration

name and describe methods of tanning leather

explain how covering material is selected for a given job

explain what to monitor when paring leather and when sharpening knives for leather paring

name types of leather commonly used in bookbinding

explain the term ‘skiver’

Dissecting/pulling down

list different page securing methods

explain how to remove endpapers with minimal damage

explain how to clean sections without damage

define the terms ‘dog-ears’ and ‘joints’

describe special care to take when removing wire stitches/sewing thread

identify and describe different methods of removing adhesive from the book spine

identify types of adhesive that might be found on book spines

Section sewing

name methods of hand sewing and important considerations when setting up for sewing

explain why a sewing frame is used

describe how thickness of thread is chosen

explain what to check when sewing thread is joined during the sewing operation and when the sewing operation is finished off

explain the result if sewing is too loose/too tight

describe hand-worked headband styles

Book forwarding

explain the important result to achieve when gluing the spine of the book, and the outcome if the spine glue is too thick/too thin

explain how to recognise a correct spine shape

describe problems likely if too much round or insufficient round is applied to the spine

name different spine linings and styles they are used on

state reasons for spine linings

explain special techniques applied to 2-on 2-off spine linings

explain important considerations for spine linings

describe how to recognise a good corner

explain the recommended turn-in

list steps to ensure a clean job

explain ‘trimming-out’

explain what determines the correct board calliper on a book

identify what micron board is recommended on a book 5mm thick

explain to monitor when casing-in a book

Hand finishing

name methods of hand finishing a book cover

identify criteria used to ensure an appropriate typeface is selected

outline criteria used to ensure the design chosen corresponds with the era of the book

describe the result of uneven impressions

describe the method to correct an error in finishing the title

Quality assurance

describe quality aspects found in a competently restored book

list steps to ensure cost effectiveness of book restoration

explain what can be done to maintain the rarity component of a book

identify machine manuals and safety documentation relevant to this task, where they are kept, and the information included in them.

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