1. Select and cut covers to size. Round the corners.
Align bottom and left edges of a journal and a cover, and mark top and right corners on the cover to cut to size of the journal. Covers should be as big as the largest issue in the volume. They should not be cut more than 1/8^th" larger than the journal, as the excess makes the volume difficult to shelve. Use the corner-rounder to round the top and bottom untaped edges of both front and back covers to help prevent dog-earing.
2. Select and cut spine to size and cover with spine tape.
The spine should also be as long as the tallest journal in the volume and should never extend more than 1/8^th" past the top edge. Cut spine tape about 1 inch longer than the spine and stick it lengthwise down the spine, about 1/4^th" from the edge. The tape should never be wider than the spine. Wrap the excess over the top and bottom ends of the spine.
3. Date stamp and initial back cover, target spine.
Date stamp and initials go in the upper right corner of the inside of the back cover. Make sure the target is placed so that it will be hidden inside the back of the volume's spine.
4. Fold spine and tape to inside of back cover, matching edges.
At least 1/2" of the spine tape should be folded over inside the back cover to make sure the holes are drilled through it. Fold the edge where the spine tape is closest to the edge of the spine stock. The fold should line up with the left edge of the cover, and top and bottom edges of the spine and cover should match up. Secure the spine to the cover with a couple of small pieces of Scotch tape.
5. Select correct number of shims.
This is very important and depends on the thickness of the volume, the width of the margins, whether the journal is flat-backed or single signature, and how stiff the paper is. Thicker volumes, volumes with narrow margins, or stiff-papered volumes usually need more shims (3 at least). It is better to use too many shims than to use too few. Generally the single signature journals need more shims than flat-backs because they expand to fill the extra space after they are removed from the brace.
6. Place journals and shims against the spine and make the second fold.
It helps to push the volume against a hard surface such as the brace. Make sure to compress/squish the journals and shims down as far as possible so the fold along the top cover is in the correct place. This helps to make the volume stronger and neater on the shelves.
7. Place volume in the brace or aligner (the Jog and Hold), add shims and top cover, and tighten screws.
This is a very important step as it determines where you will drill. Make sure the left edges of the volume lines up with the left edge of the Hold (the part that clamps the volume together). There are several tricks you will learn to help you with this. Also make sure both covers are on the outside of the spine and the shims are right side up, or you will drill through them and will have to rebind the volume. Generally the first and second shims go above the bottom issue and below the top issue. If a third or fourth shim is used, distribute them evenly among the other issues so that any slippery issues are held securely. Tighten screws as much as possible so the journals do not slip while you are moving or drilling them.
8. Drill holes at the areas marked on the brace.
Journals shorter than 9" get two holes, those longer than 9" get three. For flat-backs, drill holes as close to the edge as the Hold will allow, but also make sure the drill passes through each issue. For single-signatures, drill back far enough into the margin so that you drill through all of the sections of the individual journals. The more careful you are when clamping the volume into the Hold, the easier this step is. Since the covers tend to be slippery, it is helpful to begin each hole very slowly until a small white dot forms. This seems to prevent the drill from slipping to an angle, which can cause the margins to get much wider at the back of the volume. Then drill cleanly through the volume, raising and lowering the drill bit two or three times to clear out the particles. You have reached the bottom when the green light on the front of the machine comes back on.
9. Insert tacks and trim with cutter.
Turn volume over and insert tacks from the back, making sure there is enough tack showing to mold into a head. Turn volume back over. Raise the Tack Receiving Board by pulling the lever (on the right side) toward you, and put brace into the groove. Lower and tighten arm around tack by turning the binding handle clockwise. Thread cutter over the tack and into the arm as far as it will go, and then twist to cut the tack to the correct size.
10. Heat and mold the tacks, allow to cool briefly.
Rotate the heating element (on the left) until it is centered over the arm and tack and push down until the light comes on. When you hear a spark, remove the heating element. After any smoke has cleared, push the molding element firmly down on the tack for 5-10 seconds. In the picture, B is the best example. A was not melted long enough, C was not molded long enough, and in D the tack was too short.
11. Place the volume back into the brace, loosen screws, remove shims, and remove bound volume.
If the shims are stuck even though they are correctly positioned, you have drilled in the wrong place. Retighten the screws, find the correct placement for the holes, and redrill and tack. It is easier to cut and remove the misplaced tack/s after adding the correctly placed tack.
12. Check binding job and remove dust from spine area.
Holding the volume open, tap the bottom over the wastebasket and shake. Dust should come out around the spine area. Continue to tap and shake until little dust appears. Check to make sure each issue is securely bound in place and that the tacks do not stick out too far. Also check the margins to make sure the journal may be photocopied. Mistakes found in proofing are usually returned to the original binder, so it will save time to find and fix some of them before proofing.
13. Type and attach a label.
The binding slip that is attached with a rubber band to each bundle of journals contains all the labeling information you need. READ THE BINDER NOTES FIRST!!! At the typewriter, type the labeling information in the order it is listed on the label. Titles should be in ALL CAPS. If there are special notes in the "binder notes" at the bottom of the slip, follow them. This includes attaching ALSO ON MICROFICHE labels, attaching COMPACT SHELVING labels, and changing elements of the label to match our labeling system. (For example, some binding slips print "v." instead of "nos." when we want to label as numbers, not volumes.)
14. Put finished volume on the binding cart, record statistics.
Remember to log each completed volume bound!
15. Clean binding area at the end of your shift.
Recycle scraps and restock any low supplies. Sweep the floor well. Vacuuming is important, especially around the drill, because the dust is very bad for it. If there are any problems with the equipment, talk to a Supervisor, leave voice mail, or leave a note in the Supervisor's bin at the Lower Level desk.

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