SELECTION AND PRESERVATION.
BINDING : MONOGRAPHS (RESEARCH MATERIALS).


Speaking strictly in terms of preservation, hard-covers usually serve a
book better than soft-covers. Hard-covers protect materials better than
soft-covers from abrasion; deterioration of the leaf attachment (i.e.,
binding); and fire, smoke and water damage. Ideally, every volume acquired
for permanent retention in the research collection should be bound in hard
covers.

Purchase of a book with hard-covers (a.k.a., publisher's case binding),
however, is not always the wisest selection decision. Two considerations
immediately come to mind. First, the price differential is often substantial.
A hard-cover copy usually costs more than a paperback copy commercially bound.
Second, the publisher's case binding is usually not as durable as hard-covers
provided as a result of commercial binding according to the specifications of
the Library Binding Institute's Standard. Because publisher's case bindings
often require repair, internal repair costs should also be factored into cost
differentials, making purchase of paperbacks more appealing. Additionally,
hard-covers may promote deterioration and hinder later preservation of volumes
printed on acidic or brittle paper.

Selection decisions, first, should evaluate the need for hard covers.
Will the volume be retained permanently in the collection? If the volume will
be retained permanently, it should be bound (eventually). The criteria
discussed below should be applied to permanent materials. Ephemera and other
materials with limited retention may not require hard-cover binding. Because
no universal assumptions apply to these materials and their use is widely
variable, the decision to provide hard-covers for these materials should be
made according to criteria other than those discussed below.

Assuming permanent retention, selection decisions should balance the
immediacy of the need with the library's ability to purchase or provide them.
Purchase of paperbacks (i.e., soft-cover books) may result in savings with
which to purchase additional books, but unless the allocation of funds for
commercial binding is sufficient the needed hard-covers can not be provided.
Because binding funds are limited, ve-y few monographs can be bound. This
limitation makes the purchase of some volumes with publisher's case bindings
(i.e., hard-covers) necessary and even desirable. The following questions
and responses chart a recommended decision process.













SELECTION AND PRESERVATION.
BINDING : MONOGRAPHS (RESEARCH MATERIALS).


SELECTION FLOW-CHART.

Cost differentials -- whether it is cheaper to buy a hard copy or a soft cover
and bind it -- should not be considered in selection of monographs.
Differentials often represent false economy or diminish the importance of
preserving the collections through sound selection decisions. Decisions made
using the flow-chart below save both selector's funds and collection
materials.


Question: IS THE VOLUME LIKELY TO BE USED DURING THE FIRST YEAR?

YES ===> This volume probably will be used during the first year.

Question: IS THE VOLUME LIKELY TO BE USED FIVE (5) OR MORE TIMES
DURING THE FIRST YEAR AFTER ACQUISITION?

YES ===> This volume probably will be used more than five times
during the first year (e.g., course reserve).
ACTION ====> Purchase paperback (i.e., soft-cover) if
available.
Indicate: "NOTIFY -- PRESERVATION/BINDING" on
the order. Such volumes will be bound after
acquisition and cataloging.

NO ====> This volume probably will be used less than five times
during the first year.
ACTION ====> Purchase hard-cover if available.
The publisher's case binding should be sufficient
for low to moderate circulation. If the case
suffers damage, it will be repaired or sent to a
commercial bindery for rebinding.
Purchase with hard-cover publisher's case binding
eliminates commercial binding time during the
period when the title will be in most demand.


NO ===> This volume probably will not be used during the first year.
ACTION ====> Purchase paperback (i.e., soft-cover) if available.
Unless the volume is a pamphlet (i.e, less than 51
pages),.it will be added to the collection without hard
covers. Preservation policy provides that circulated
soft-cover volumes should be routed to the Preservation
Office for commercial binding. This binding deferment
policy ensures that volumes to be bound have a
demonstrated history of research use and allows the
Libraries to maximize their preservation funds.