Welcome to HBI and The Library Binding Institute

Hardcover Binders International (HBI) and the Library Binding Institute (LBI) is the premiere information resource on hardcover binding, including library binding. It exists to advocate the highest standards in quality, longevity, and durability of hardcover bound books.

Who Binds Hardcover Books?
Hardcover books are bound by those who make books – long runs, short runs, print on demand, one-off, edition binding, as well as photo books. 

What is a Library Binder?
“A book is the only thing which man has made that asks nothing from him, but only the opportunity to give ... The existence of books has enabled our society to develop to the point where the accumulated mass of our experiences, freely available to everyone, provides resources, and the opportunity to use them, to each generation. The improvement of the lot of mankind is directly related to the availability of the book to all who seek its treasures.”A Few Thoughts on Books, written by Dudley A. Weiss, former LBI Executive Director. Certified library binders are innovators and highly skilled craftsmen who have been dedicated to ensuring the highest standards in library binding, for more than seventy years. Producing many books on time that are durable and aesthetically appealing, library binders are also the original “one-off” demand binders and are branching out into areas such as on-demand printing and short run binding. Today’s library binder is involved in more aspects of book production and preservation than ever before - from printing books, to prebinding them, to rebinding them, scanning books for digital storage and/or production, and book repair/conservation. In addition to handling books of all shapes and sizes, certified library binders – in accordance with the ANSI/NISO/ LBI Library Binding Standard Z39.78-2000 - work with newspapers, journals, maps, music, and rare books. Now, more than ever, librarians are faced with a number of choices with regard to the care and maintenance of their collections and library binders are there to lend their expertise and services. Their knowledge helps to guide librarians with decisions such as when and how to bind knowing there are a variety of factors to be considered. Ultimately, the certified library binder knows that library binding is the most permanent and best, long-term preservation option.Building on improvements in production and quality over the years, certified library binders are uniquely poised to also work with publishers and can print one or 1,000 books, according to specifications, quickly and accurately. Their experience with the care and handling of a variety of library materials, combined with rapid production technology, makes certified library binders a natural choice for the growing on-demand book business.In Library Binding Manual, Maurice F. Tauber writes “The preservation of cultural and intellectual heritage in printed form is the collective responsibility of many individuals and groups. No one, in good conscience, in or out of the library, who is concerned with books, can avoid this duty. The responsibility for preservation is shared by publishers, suppliers, and manufacturers who create the book, the librarians who serve as custodians and interpreters of the printed record, the binders who bind or rebind specifically for library use, the library administrators who must allocate funds for binding, and especially, the community which uses the books.” The role of the certified library binder in book production and preservation has expanded since these words were first written. Who better, then a certified library binder, to entrust this noble endeavor?

Enjoy the benefits of membership in the hardcover binders division today! Click here for a membership application.

	HBI/LBI Spring Meeting Planned for February 18-19 Hardcover Binders International/Library Binding Institute will hold its spring meeting just prior to the start of the DIMA/PMA Annual Conference on February 18 and 19, 2010 in Anaheim, CA. Members who plan to attend the DIMA/PMA Meetings will receive the DIMA/PMA conference rate. Click here for details.

HBI Welcomes the Following New Members!

Associate
Hewlett Packard
The Holmberg Company
Muller Martini
Print Finishing Sales and Services
Productive Solutions

Just Published!
The updated "Guide to the ANSI /NISO/ LBI Library Binding Standard" by Jan Merrill-Oldham and Paul Parisi has just been released by the American Library Association. Click here for a PDF version of the guide. A hard copy will soon be available for purchase on the American Library Association website.

Library Binding Scholarship Memorial Fund

The LBI Scholarship Memorial Fund was started in memory of longtime LBI member Mel Kavin, Kater-Crafts Bookbinding. The purpose of the fund is to provide scholarships for library binding educational opportunities. This fund will honor the memory of those, like Mel, who have made significant contributions to the library binding industry.

If you are interested in making a contribution, please contact Debra Nolan at LBI at 561-745-6821, or via email for more information. A letter to the family acknowledging your contribution will be sent.