A slight detour from what happens in my job, I wanted to highlight a workshop that was organized and hosted recently by UVic Special Collections:
An Introduction to Bookbinding with Joan Byers (Canadian Bookbinding and Book Arts Guild), October 5th
This two hour talk and workshop will focus on the physical aspects of books, including the parts of a book and the importance of each part being made correctly for the set purpose of each book, its readability, and longevity. Participants will be encouraged to make one or two introductory sewn pamphlets.
Joan Byers is an amateur bookbinder who has been binding for fifteen years. She is one of core curriculum teachers for Bookbinding I and II offered by the Canadian Bookbinding and Book Arts Guild.
I signed up as soon as I saw it happening but was waitlisted. Happily, a space became available at the last minute.
I’ve been making books since I was little, though my early efforts were hardly archival quality, being largely made of scrap paper stapled together. A few years ago, I discovered Japanese Binding – an oversewn binding technique that worked very well for my miniature Coffee Haiku books, bound in recycled coffee sleeves. I also studied manuscripts and early books through Medieval Studies classes, and of course work with books in all stages of disrepair through my position in the Library. In short, I know and love books and was eager to add to my skills.
On arrival we were directed to pick up a kit — a simple binding cradle, needle and skewer (standing in for a proper awl), linen thread, three signatures, two covers, and a few other pieces of paper.
The instructor was both knowledgeable and relaxed, making for a great session. She started by explaining and demonstrating parts of a book, and types of binding, then we dove right into it.
In the end, we had two small pamphlets to keep, a single-signature pamphlet with a folded flap cover, and a two-signature pamphlet with a Japanese Envelope decorative cover.
Throughout the year, UVic Special Collections and Archives regularly host lectures and workshops; many are held during the day so I don’t often get to attend, but if you are curious, do check in to see what is happening!
