Here is the information for purchasing books from
companies.
I personally prefer publisher hardcovers because I think
they look nicer on the shelves. I do buy some bound glued
books in cases where the book is only published by the
publisher in paperback (like Gossip Girls). They are a
little bit more money than the paperback but will last much
longer. Typically the bound glued books have lifetime
replacement guarantee which is a great selling point.
I tend to go towards the Co. Bound Glued. Most
companies "guaratee" their bindings, so if it doesn't hold
up you can get it replaced.
You want librarian bound. Sewn is best
I try to avoid purchasing the glued versions. A publisher's
hardback would be better than glued, but a sewn binding
is always best. I try to purchase most of my books from
companies who re-bind with a library binding which is
sewn. I only accept glued when I MUST have the book
and there is nothing else available.
Publisher's Hardcover is the same as the trade edition you
buy in book stores. Library Binding or Reinforced is a
rebound edition - usually obviously strengthened & almost
always more expensive. Follettbound glued is a paperback
that they have rebound using glue in the spine to hold the
pages. Follettbound sewed is a paperback that they have
rebound, sewing in the pages. Mackinbound, Turtlebound,
etc., are the same.
Bound to Stay Bound books are rebound in such a way as
to be almost as sturdy as "library bound" books. I quit
buying Turtlebound books about 10 years ago because I
felt that they were not holding up very well. I have recently
quit buying Follettbound for the same reason, although
they guarantee to send you a brand new book at no
charge if you are not satisfied with the way they wear.
They will, indeed, do that, but I'm reluctant to ask over &
over for new books just because one of their books wears
out before I think it should. I do buy Mackinbound books;
they seem to me to hold up best next to the expensive
Bound to Stay Bound. I have no hard evidence for any of
these decisions; they stem from opinions that have
developed over time. As time goes on, your experience will
tell you which one you like best.
I think that if you are ordering books that will be popular
and are only series types like Captain Underpants or
Junie B. then I would order cheaper version. For ones that
are nonfiction or you know will be used in lessons by you
or others, then I would go with hardbound. Last, it
depends on the size of your budget.
I generally get the glued ones, they are guaranteed by the
company - they replace them if the book falls apart.
The publisher's hard covers fall apart fairly quickly - the
binding is not designed for library use. There is generally,
no guarantee on the publisher's bindings. If you get 10
circs out of a pub binding, consider yourself lucky.
For my two cents, I order company bound sewn, then
company bound glued, then library binding. I only order
publisher bindings if I can't get anything else. The logic is
how long the book lasts and the cost. Follett and several
other companies guarantee their glued and sewn books
for a life time. Publisher bindings are meant for home type
use.
It depends on who you are ordering it from. If I order from
Follett, I always prefer the Follett sewn or glued because
they come with a life time guarentee. If anything happens
to the binding of the book, I just call them with the book
title and the invoice number and they send a free
replacement. I have only had to replace two books
because of the binding....it was hassle free.
Kim Smith-Harber
Salem High School
Salem, Arkansas
Library Media Specialist
ksmith@salem.ncsc.k12.ar.us
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