The Center for Conservation and Preservation at Illinois State University’s Milner Library will host a number of workshops and lectures this fall on the creation and preservation of books. Sessions will cover such topics as the history of book arts in America, bookbinding and book repairs. Book Arts Workshops will be held at Milner Library.
• Introduction to Bookbinding – one-evening workshops offered three times; Tuesday, Sept. 7, Wednesday, September 15 or Tuesday, Oct. 5., 6-9 p.m. Participants will work with paper, thread and glue to create handmade books and pamphlets. $40 ($25 for students and Friends of Milner Library).
• Long Stitch Book – Tuesday, Sept. 21, 6-9 p.m. Class members will use the long stitch sewing method to construct a modern variation of a book structure that was commonly used by accountants in 16th century Italy. $40 ($25 for students and Friends of Milner).
• Protective Enclosures for Books, — two-session workshop, Tuesdays, Oct. 19 and 26, 6-9 p.m. $60 ($45 for students and Friends of Milner Library). Participants will construct a number of conservation boxes to protect and house books, photographs and other treasured items.
• Beginning Book Repair – three-session workshop, Tuesdays, Nov. 9, 16 and 23, 6-9 p.m. $80 ($60 for students and Friends of Milner Library). This class will cover the basic skills and techniques of book repair.
• Sewn Board Binding – two-session workshop, Tuesdays, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, 6-9 p.m. $60 ($45 for students and Friends of Milner Library). Participants will use the sewn board binding structure to create books ideal for displaying collections of photos or drawings.
To register for the Book Arts Workshops contact the Center for Conservation and
Preservation at ahuot@ilstu.edu or (309) 438-3450. Registration information and more details about the Center’s work can be found at www.library.ilstu.edu/page/988
The Center for Conservation and Preservation will also present its Book Arts Lecture Series this fall. Lectures are free and open to the public.
• “Creating/Preserving: Marking Time with the Guild of Book Workers,” Tuesday, Oct. 5, 4:30 p.m., main floor of Milner Library. Karen Hanmer, Chicago book and installation artist, will discuss the history and development of the Guild of Book workers. Her presentation is sponsored by the Midwest Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers.
• “A Change in Dimension: Book Art in America, 1960 to Today,” Tuesday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m., main floor of Milner Library. Betty Bright, independent scholar, author and curator, discusses book art as an evolving 21st century art form. Her presentation is sponsored by The Alice and Fannie Fell Trust.
• “A Sixty-Year Odyssey in Bookbinding and Conservation,” Thursday, Nov. 11, 7 p.m., Bone Student Center Circus Room. Don Etherington, renowned conservator and bookbinder, discusses his long professional career and notable changes in the field of bookbinding over the past 60 years. His presentation is sponsored by the Friends of Milner Library.
An exhibit of bookbindings and artists’ books from across the Midwest will be on display at Milner Library from Friday, Oct. 1 to Monday, Nov. 15. The free public display is sponsored by the Midwest Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers.
