Part-time adult education, evening classes: London: City Lit

Book conservation and repair: workshop and practice

Ideal if you have some conservation/bookbinding experience and want to work on your own repair and conservation projects with advice and guidance. The course will include demonstrations to recap, support and extend your practice.

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Key course information

Dates
18/04/12 - 27/06/12

Day(s)
Wed

Duration
11 weeks

Time
18:00 - 21:00

Fees
Full fee: £216
Senior fee: £216
Concession: £113

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
VD244

Availability
Available
(status updated every 15 mins)

This course has started

It may still be possible to enrol on this course - please call 020 7831 7831 to discuss. Please note that you will have missed some course content and it may not be possible for the tutor to fully cover missed content with you. Please be advised that the published course fees will apply.

Course outline

What is the course about?

The course will provide a theoretical and practical knowledge relating to conservation and book repair. Students will, through practical exercise, gain experience in the techniques to be able to conserve and restore their own items.

What topics will we cover?

- Leather degradation
- In-situ repair of leather bindings using Japanese paper
- Different end papers and ways of attaching boards
- Spine lining
- Leather paring
- Leather re-backing
- Making a drop-back box

You will work individually on your own items, and be given practical demonstrations and workshops as new skills develop.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

- Understand leather degradation characteristics and repair options
- Demonstrate the basic skills required to restore leather bound books
- Conserve a leather bound book in a variety of ways using both Japanese paper and leather.
- Make a drop-back box.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

As this is an intermediate course for individuals wishing to further expand and develop their book conservation skills, some previous bookbinding and book conservation knowledge is required. This means a basic knowledge of: book structures, binding styles, how book materials deteriorate; damage characteristics, and repair options.

You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers, do simple measurements and make calculations.

Please look at the rest of the course outline carefully to decide if you may benefit from support in your English and Maths skills to help you to take part fully in this class.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Each student will work on their own items. There will be demonstrations, and one-to-one practical teaching.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You should provide a book(s) to work on, and have this/these available at the beginning of the course.

The bindery is equipped with most of the specialist tools, but you will be expected to use your owhand tools and come equipped with a range of tools including:
- knives (scalpel, utility or craft and leather paring) and spare blades
- brushes for course and fine work
- a steel rule or straight edge with measured increments
- pair of dividers
- pair of tweezers
- large and small bone folders.
- craft scissors or shears of reasonable quality

The class has some materials which may be used in the short term and you will be given guidance for providing your own.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

VD244 is a short (one-term) course tutoring intermediate book conservation, that will run in conjunction with the current final term of the VD202 course. In 2012-13, the three-term VD202 course will be split into three, one-term courses; VD245, VD246 and VD247. These will tutor similar topics covered by VD202 but will deal with the specifics of conserving paper bound, cloth bound and leather bound books respectively.

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2700

visualarts@citylit.ac.uk

Please email us for advice or call us during these times:

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays - 9.00 -12.00 & 15:00-18:00

Thursdays - 9.00-12.00

Saturdays - 14.00-17.00

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.

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Visual arts