San Francisco Center for the Book

This hands-on introductory workshop provides participants with a foundation in basic book and paper repair techniques commonly used to stabilize damaged collection materials. Designed for librarians, archivists, collectors, and anyone interested in the care of books, the course introduces participants to conservation-minded approaches that prioritize the long-term preservation of materials.

Participants will learn how to prepare wheat starch paste, one of the most widely used adhesives in paper and book conservation, and gain an understanding of its properties and applications. Additional topics include surface cleaning techniques for removing loose dirt and debris, localized humidification and flattening of creased or distorted paper, and basic paper repair using Japanese tissues.

Through demonstrations and guided hands-on practice, students will develop practical skills while learning to evaluate when treatment is appropriate and when an item may require the attention of a professional conservator. By the end of the class, participants will have completed several repair exercises and gained confidence in carrying out simple stabilization treatments on books and paper-based materials.

Please note that this workshop provides an introduction to fundamental repair techniques and collections care concepts. It is not a substitute for formal conservation training or graduate-level conservation education, and completion of the course does not confer professional certification or conservator status. Reusable materials provided in this class should be retained for Repair Core’s II-III.

SFCB's Windgate Scholarship Fund is dedicated to providing need-based financial support to individuals interested in learning bookbinding, letterpress printing, and related book arts. Click here to apply.

Prerequisite: Bookbinding Core 1-4 certificate. Interested students who do not meet this prerequisite may consider the Basic Repairs on Hardbound Books workshop instead.

Materials to bring: All tools and materials will be provided. 

About the Instructor: Clair Emma Smith (she/her) is a bookbinder specializing in repair located in Oakland, California. She found her love of bookbinding during an art conservation internship at a historical society in Indiana, and she has been setting up her dream home studio ever since. Clair Emma relocated to the Bay Area after graduating from North Bennet Street School's bookbinding program in 2019 and works in private practice for both herself and other conservators as Bouguereau Bindery.