(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hpp12fPvkHA)

This is an excellent video that shows the damage a ‘quick and easy’ amateur repair can cause to a book. I’ve seen multiple examples of both of these types of “quick fixes” on books in my library. Not only do they fail to actually repair the book in an effective and long-lasting way, they cause even more damage than the book initially had.

I get a lot of questions from my followers, coworkers and members of the public, asking me if I can show them how to repair their broken books…the truth is that many book repairs, while seemingly simple, are difficult to do if you are inexperienced with bookbinding. There are no “quick fixes” for books that I’d recommend. If a book is valuable to you but is too damaged to use, the best thing you can do is protect it with some sort of box or other enclosure, and then send it to a professional bookbinder or book conservator. Avoid the temptation to buy the hinge tape or “book repair tape”!