This is an in-person workshop. All students and the instructor must show proof of vaccination against Covid-19 and agree to wear a mask for the duration of the class unless otherwise announced by SFCB. If you choose to complete the registration process you are agreeing to these terms.

The Library Style is ideal for large or heavy books which get a lot of use and need to be extra strong. Coming straight out of the Account Book tradition at the end of the nineteenth century, the Library Style was developed by the British Museum as a way of binding books which needed to be extremely robust yet could remain pleasing to use and would open well.

The book is sewn on heavy tapes and has a hidden cloth joint for strength. Together they form a flange that is glued into laminated split boards: this makes for a very strong attachment of the book to its cover. The book edges are then sprinkled, burnished and waxed, and a hollow back added to the spine. The book is covered in heavy-duty buckram, with special ‘library’ corners for added strength. The endpapers are put down and a gold-tooled leather title added.

After this class you will be able to bring all your dilapidated reference books back to life in this very strong cloth binding.

Beginning bookbinders are welcome.
 

Materials to Bring: 

Scalpel —#4 handle, #25 blades (available from Talas).

Optional and available at SFCB for student use during class: bone folder, metal ruler, dividers.

Workshop Fee (includes materials fee): $375
Scholarships available; click here to apply

Date & Time: Saturday & Sunday, July 30 & 31, 2022 :: 9:30am-5:30pm

Location: 375 Rhode Island St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Note: Please read over the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class.

REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THIS WORKSHOP

About the Instructor | Michael Burke

Michael Burke studied bookbinding with Dominic Riley and paper conservation with Karen Zukor. He lives in the Lake District, where he teaches bookbinding. In recent years he has taught and lectured at Society of Bookbinders conferences and seminars, and at Guild of Bookworkers meetings in the USA, as well as teaching tours in Australia, New Zealand and Brazil. Each year he teaches summer school at the San Francisco Center for the Book and across the USA. Michael researches the structures of ancient and medieval bindings, and has a Masters degree in the History of the Book from the University of London.

Past Student Reviews: 

“Michael was excellent.”

“Michael is a great teacher and understands that some of us love binding and are trying really hard to become great binders.”

“Thank you for putting this workshop on! I loved the experience and I hope I can take other classes in the future.”