Ideal if you have some bookbinding conservation experience and want to develop your skills further by working on your own projects with advice and guidance. Each term will include demonstrations that focus on a different aspect of book conservation.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This is one of three short courses which teach conservation methods for paper (VD245), cloth (VD246) and leather bound books (VD247). These courses are aimed at learners with some basic experience in bookbinding or book conservation and will comprise instruction on a range of conservation techniques including archival housing for bindings. The courses cover both the theory and practice of book conservation and students will, through practical exercise, gain the skills and experience to be able to conserve and repair their own items. Students are expected to provide their own books on which to work.
What will we cover?
- Different leather binding styles - Leather degradation characteristics - In-situ repair of leather bindings using Japanese paper - Different endpapers and ways of attaching boards - Spine lining - Repair of text-blocks and covers using various materials - Sewing and re-casing/binding options - Leather paring - Leather re-backing - Making a drop-back box.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Describe three principle styles of leather bindings - Identify calf and goat skin - Identify typical degradation characteristics of leather - Name some characteristics of degraded leather bound books - Explain a practical conservation approach appropriate for the type of damage to a book - Use learned skills to restore leather covered boards and damaged pages. - Conserve a leather-bound book with a variety of materials including animal skin, Japanese tissue and Western paper.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an intermediate course for individuals wishing to expand and develop their book conservation skills. Some previous bookbinding and book conservation experience is required. This means a basic knowledge of: book structures, binding styles, how book materials deteriorate; damage characteristics, and repair options. You should be familiar with the terminology used, and have a reasonable level of confidence and dexterity in handling materials and tools.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Weekly topics follow the linear aspects of book conservation, from damage assessment through various treatment options to completion of work. 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 own hand tools and come equipped with a range of tools including: • knives (scalpel, utility or craft and leather paring) and spare blades • brushes in a range of sizes • 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 • paring knife The class has some materials which may be bought and you will be given guidance for providing your own.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
- VD204 Book conservation: vellum - VD245 Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediate - VD246 Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediate.
Gavin Moorhead is a professional book conservator and conservation teacher. He is a Design graduate from RMIT and worked as a Graphic Designer before changing direction to take up a career in Conservation. Gavin says he became dissatisfied with consumerist creativity after becoming enlightened by conservation. Combining new aspiration with his passion for books, he trained in conservation techniques at the State Library of Victoria and went on to work on some of the most iconic items in cultural collections around the world. He came to the UK to pursue further opportunities and now, more than 30 years on, he is a senior conservator and conservation team leader at the British Library Centre for Conservation. In becoming a tutor in book conservation and bookbinding, Gavin sought to articulate the ethics of Conservation and to train students in the fundamental skills. After 10 years teaching at City Lit, he continues to enlighten and nurture aspiring book menders and makers.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/book-conservation-and-repair-workshop-intermediate284604Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediatehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/r/ernest_pulling_textblock_1.jpg549549GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Contemporary crafts/Courses/Art & design/Contemporary crafts/Bookbinding22851132113911411228511321139Ideal if you have some bookbinding conservation experience and want to develop your skills further by working on your own projects with advice and guidance. Each term will include demonstrations that focus on a different aspect of book conservation.252540038Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediate549549https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/r/ernest_pulling_textblock_1_11.jpgInStockEveningWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-05-06T00:00:00+00:00Some experience, AdvancedMay 2026Art & designVD247549549Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediate439357549Gavin Moorheadbook-conservation-and-repair-workshop-intermediate/vd247-2526Ideal if you have some bookbinding conservation experience and want to develop your skills further by working on your own projects with advice and guidance. Each term will include demonstrations that focus on a different aspect of book conservation.0000-Available|2026-05-06 00:00:00This is one of three short courses which teach conservation methods for paper (VD245), cloth (VD246) and leather bound books (VD247). These courses are aimed at learners with some basic experience in bookbinding or book conservation and will comprise instruction on a range of conservation techniques including archival housing for bindings. The courses cover both the theory and practice of book conservation and students will, through practical exercise, gain the skills and experience to be able to conserve and repair their own items. Students are expected to provide their own books on which to work.Ideal if you have some bookbinding conservation experience and want to develop your skills further by working on your own projects with advice and guidance. Each term will include demonstrations that focus on a different aspect of book conservation.- Different leather binding styles<br/> - Leather degradation characteristics<br/> - In-situ repair of leather bindings using Japanese paper<br/> - Different endpapers and ways of attaching boards<br/> - Spine lining <br/> - Repair of text-blocks and covers using various materials <br/> - Sewing and re-casing/binding options <br/> - Leather paring<br/> - Leather re-backing<br/> - Making a drop-back box.- Describe three principle styles of leather bindings<br/> - Identify calf and goat skin <br/> - Identify typical degradation characteristics of leather<br/> - Name some characteristics of degraded leather bound books <br/> - Explain a practical conservation approach appropriate for the type of damage to a book<br/> - Use learned skills to restore leather covered boards and damaged pages. <br/> - Conserve a leather-bound book with a variety of materials including animal skin, Japanese tissue and Western paper.This is an intermediate course for individuals wishing to expand and develop their book conservation skills. Some previous bookbinding and book conservation experience is required. This means a basic knowledge of: book structures, binding styles, how book materials deteriorate; damage characteristics, and repair options. You should be familiar with the terminology used, and have a reasonable level of confidence and dexterity in handling materials and tools.Weekly topics follow the linear aspects of book conservation, from damage assessment through various treatment options to completion of work. Each student will work on their own items. There will be demonstrations, and one-to-one practical teaching.<p>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 own hand tools and come equipped with a range of tools including:<br/>• knives (scalpel, utility or craft and leather paring) and spare blades<br/>• brushes in a range of sizes<br/>• a steel rule or straight edge with measured increments<br/>• pair of dividers<br/>• pair of tweezers<br/>• large and small bone folders.<br/>• craft scissors or shears of reasonable quality<br/>• paring knife<br/>The class has some materials which may be bought and you will be given guidance for providing your own.<br/><br/> </p>- VD204 Book conservation: vellum <br/>- VD245 Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediate<br/>- VD246 Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediate.Contemporary craftsBookbindingvirtual3029968Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediate569569https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/r/ernest_pulling_textblock_1_12.jpgInStockEveningWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-09-16T00:00:00+00:00Some experience, AdvancedSep 2026Art & designVD245569569Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediate455370569Gavin Moorheadbook-conservation-and-repair-workshop-intermediate/vd245-2627<p>This course is deal if you have some bookbinding conservation experience and want to develop your skills further by working on your own projects with advice and guidance. Each term will include demonstrations that focus on a different aspect of book conservation.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-16 00:00:00This is one of three short courses which teach conservation methods for paper (VD245), cloth (VD246) and leather bound books (VD247). These courses are aimed at learners with some basic experience in bookbinding or book conservation and will comprise instruction on a range of conservation techniques including archival housing for bindings. The courses cover both the theory and practice of book conservation and students will, through practical exercise, gain the skills and experience to be able to conserve and repair their own items. Students are expected to provide their own books on which to work.<p>This course is deal if you have some bookbinding conservation experience and want to develop your skills further by working on your own projects with advice and guidance. Each term will include demonstrations that focus on a different aspect of book conservation.</p><p>- Paper bound book styles<br>- Degradation characteristics of paper<br>- Approaches to conservation techniques and de-acidification<br>- In-situ book repairs<br>- Repair of text-blocks and bindings using Japanese paper<br>- Sewing and re-casing/binding options<br>- Making an archival flapcase housing</p>- Identify physical characteristics of paper bound books <br> - Recognize two main features of paper degradation<br> - Explain a practical conservation approach appropriate for the type of damage to a book<br> - Use learned skills to restore book covers and damaged pages <br> - Conserve a paper-bound book in a variety of ways using both Japanese and Western papers.<br> - Construct a simple archive case.<p>This is an intermediate course for individuals wishing to expand and develop their book conservation skills. Some previous bookbinding and book conservation experience is required. This means a basic knowledge of: book structures, binding styles, how book materials deteriorate; damage characteristics, and repair options. You should be familiar with the terminology used, and have a reasonable level of confidence and dexterity in handling materials and tools.<br>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.</p>Weekly topics follow the linear aspects of book conservation, from damage assessment through various treatment options to completion of work. Each student will work on their own items. There will be demonstrations, and one-to-one practical teaching.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 own hand tools and come equipped with a range of tools including:<br> - Knives (scalpel, utility or craft and leather paring) and spare blades<br> - Brushes in a range of sizes<br> - A steel rule or straight edge with measured increments.<p>Conservation and repair</p><ul><li>VD246 Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediate and higher</li><li>VD247 Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediate and higher</li></ul><p>Specialist courses </p><ul><li>VD327 Bookbinding: box making</li><li>VD300 Bookbinding: gold tooling on leather</li><li>VD247 Bookbinding: gold tooling on paper </li></ul><p> </p>Contemporary craftsBookbindingvirtual439,455549,569357,370VD247,VD245NONEWed06/05/26 - 29/07/2618:00 - 21:0018:0021:0012 sessions (over 13 weeks)1211 weeks or longerEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetGavin MoorheadSome experience, AdvancedAvailable courses2026-05-06T00:00:00+00:00,2026-09-16T00:00:00+00:00May 2026,Sep 2026Art & design549549,569Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediatebook-conservation-and-repair-workshop-intermediate/vd247-2526,book-conservation-and-repair-workshop-intermediate/vd245-2627Ideal if you have some bookbinding conservation experience and want to develop your skills further by working on your own projects with advice and guidance. Each term will include demonstrations that focus on a different aspect of book conservation.,<p>This course is deal if you have some bookbinding conservation experience and want to develop your skills further by working on your own projects with advice and guidance. Each term will include demonstrations that focus on a different aspect of book conservation.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-06 00:00:00This is one of three short courses which teach conservation methods for paper (VD245), cloth (VD246) and leather bound books (VD247). These courses are aimed at learners with some basic experience in bookbinding or book conservation and will comprise instruction on a range of conservation techniques including archival housing for bindings. The courses cover both the theory and practice of book conservation and students will, through practical exercise, gain the skills and experience to be able to conserve and repair their own items. Students are expected to provide their own books on which to work.Ideal if you have some bookbinding conservation experience and want to develop your skills further by working on your own projects with advice and guidance. Each term will include demonstrations that focus on a different aspect of book conservation.,<p>This course is deal if you have some bookbinding conservation experience and want to develop your skills further by working on your own projects with advice and guidance. Each term will include demonstrations that focus on a different aspect of book conservation.</p>- Different leather binding styles<br/> - Leather degradation characteristics<br/> - In-situ repair of leather bindings using Japanese paper<br/> - Different endpapers and ways of attaching boards<br/> - Spine lining <br/> - Repair of text-blocks and covers using various materials <br/> - Sewing and re-casing/binding options <br/> - Leather paring<br/> - Leather re-backing<br/> - Making a drop-back box.,<p>- Paper bound book styles<br>- Degradation characteristics of paper<br>- Approaches to conservation techniques and de-acidification<br>- In-situ book repairs<br>- Repair of text-blocks and bindings using Japanese paper<br>- Sewing and re-casing/binding options<br>- Making an archival flapcase housing</p>- Describe three principle styles of leather bindings<br/> - Identify calf and goat skin <br/> - Identify typical degradation characteristics of leather<br/> - Name some characteristics of degraded leather bound books <br/> - Explain a practical conservation approach appropriate for the type of damage to a book<br/> - Use learned skills to restore leather covered boards and damaged pages. <br/> - Conserve a leather-bound book with a variety of materials including animal skin, Japanese tissue and Western paper.,- Identify physical characteristics of paper bound books <br> - Recognize two main features of paper degradation<br> - Explain a practical conservation approach appropriate for the type of damage to a book<br> - Use learned skills to restore book covers and damaged pages <br> - Conserve a paper-bound book in a variety of ways using both Japanese and Western papers.<br> - Construct a simple archive case.This is an intermediate course for individuals wishing to expand and develop their book conservation skills. Some previous bookbinding and book conservation experience is required. This means a basic knowledge of: book structures, binding styles, how book materials deteriorate; damage characteristics, and repair options. You should be familiar with the terminology used, and have a reasonable level of confidence and dexterity in handling materials and tools.,<p>This is an intermediate course for individuals wishing to expand and develop their book conservation skills. Some previous bookbinding and book conservation experience is required. This means a basic knowledge of: book structures, binding styles, how book materials deteriorate; damage characteristics, and repair options. You should be familiar with the terminology used, and have a reasonable level of confidence and dexterity in handling materials and tools.<br>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.</p>Weekly topics follow the linear aspects of book conservation, from damage assessment through various treatment options to completion of work. Each student will work on their own items. There will be demonstrations, and one-to-one practical teaching.<p>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 own hand tools and come equipped with a range of tools including:<br/>• knives (scalpel, utility or craft and leather paring) and spare blades<br/>• brushes in a range of sizes<br/>• a steel rule or straight edge with measured increments<br/>• pair of dividers<br/>• pair of tweezers<br/>• large and small bone folders.<br/>• craft scissors or shears of reasonable quality<br/>• paring knife<br/>The class has some materials which may be bought and you will be given guidance for providing your own.<br/><br/> </p>,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 own hand tools and come equipped with a range of tools including:<br> - Knives (scalpel, utility or craft and leather paring) and spare blades<br> - Brushes in a range of sizes<br> - A steel rule or straight edge with measured increments.- VD204 Book conservation: vellum <br/>- VD245 Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediate<br/>- VD246 Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediate.,<p>Conservation and repair</p><ul><li>VD246 Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediate and higher</li><li>VD247 Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediate and higher</li></ul><p>Specialist courses&nbsp;</p><ul><li>VD327 Bookbinding: box making</li><li>VD300 Bookbinding: gold tooling on leather</li><li>VD247 Bookbinding: gold tooling on paper&nbsp;</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p>Contemporary craftsBookbindingconfigurable
