How to fix book spine

I like to read, and I also like really old books. Lately I've been visiting garage sales and buying old books to read. What I've noticed though is a lot of these books have spines that are worn down and are barely holding the book together. I've repaired some of them by using librarian's tape, but this doesn't work well on hard-cover books, and looks kind of ugly on paper-back books.

Do you have any suggestions on repairing the spines of these books, or any suggestion on where to learn how to remove the old spines and rebind these books?

Any avid book lover knows that stories are not meant to be read just once, but enjoyed over and over. Your favorite book has likely been opened and closed hundreds of times. Library books get even more love, sometimes being circulated among dozens of patrons.

Though stories may last forever, book spines do not. Even gently-used books can show signs of wear over time. Eventually, a cracked book spine will begin to lose pages. If the issue isn't handled quickly and carefully, the book may not be salvageable.

Whether you're a librarian, a teacher, or just a bibliophile, keep your books in good condition by following proper spine care. Here are just a few simple tips that explain repairing a book spine so that it will survive many read-throughs to come:

How to Repair a Book Spine

Prevention is Key

As with any endeavor, preventing a problem is often more effective than attempting to fix a problem that has already occurred. If you know a book will get a lot of use, such as a bestselling novel at a library or a children's textbook, take time to protect the spine from damage. Heavy duty label protectors and book-binding tape can be adhered to book spines before they go into circulation. Using hinge tape extends the life of the spine by providing extra support each time the book is opened or closed. You can even apply book repair tape to the inside corners where the cover meets the first pages for added security.

For Book Binding Repairs, Combine Glue and Tape

After a book has already been damaged, do a little research about book spine repair with the particular type of damage yours is facing, like peeling or detaching. Proper repair methods can help prevent further wear. In general, book spine repair tape can seal any cracks that might have appeared on the spine. If the pages of a hardcover book have separated from the spine, first use glue to reattach them. Let the glue dry for about a day, and then seal the repair with an outer layer of tape.

Other Book-Care Tips

Tape and glue can be used in several other book-repair applications. For example, if book pages are beginning to "tip in" from the spine to fall loose, a thin line of glue for each loose page might do the trick. If pages are torn, book repair tape or even clear glossy label protectors can seal the rip without obscuring words.

Most novels today run between 280-320 pages. That usually means about 75,000 to 110,000 words, depending on font, page spacing, and the page size. With an entire world contained in those pages, it's no wonder that keeping a book intact takes such a high amount of care. To protect the stories you love, use the tips listed above for a library that lasts a lifetime.

Update from April 2021

You have multiple options when it comes to repairing your books! Chromalabel's book repair corners and labels will help fix up the edges of a book. Our cloth book binding tape is incredibly sturdy and will last a very long time. The clear and stretchable BookGuard is great for protecting and repairing a book spine. If you're still not sure which is right for you, give us a call and we'll answer any questions!

1 comment

Dorothy Rose Howland

we have a paperback service manual for an outboard motor once my husband started using the book the pages are starting to come loose. This is not a hard cover its soft back. Can this be repaired? My thinking would be to bind it . The manual is not very old only a couple of months but used regularly .

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A retired librarian and a grandmother who loves to "save the world, one book at a time!"

My grand-daughter's Bible came apart. This book was not really well made. It could probably be replaced with a better book, but my grandchild loved this particular Bible. That is why I chose to repair it for her. This repair was very easy to do.

Little Red Wagon (Mickie_G)

How to Fix the Spine of a Book: A Guide to Mending a Well-Loved Book

Sometimes a book gets broken when it is loved too much. My granddaughter loved her first Bible and read it almost every day. She was less than five years old at the time, but she had been taught not to treat books badly. Her librarian grandmother made sure of that! But sometimes, general loving wear and tear resulting in the need for repairs no matter how careful we are.

If you have a beloved child's book with a broken spine like this one, I hope these instructions for making this repair will help you out. If you need more information on mending books, you can visit the Dartmouth online book repair site. Scroll down to find the link.

Here are the supplies that you will need to easily mend a book's spine:

• Scissors to trim loose paper
• Brushes: a general-purpose one-inch paintbrush to dust the book off and a small "pointed" one to apply glue. See the photos below to see the brushes I used.
• PVA Glue, aka white glue, but not "school glue" (I have included some of my choices for glue further down the page.)
• Bamboo skewers (yes, the kind you use to make shish kabobs!)
• Thick rubber bands
• A small cup of clean water with a small amount of soap for washing out the brushes

Please note, I am not a professional book restoration artisan.

Good Glue for Book Repairs

Step 1

Little Red Wagon (Mickie_G)

Step 1. Trim Loose Paper

Trim loose paper if necessary. Be gentle and careful.

Step 2

Little Red Wagon (Mickie_G)

Step 2. Dust the Spine

Dust the spine and areas to be repaired with a brush. I used an inexpensive 1-inch paintbrush from a big box hardware store. It would not hurt the book if you applied a little glue to the textblock on top of the brown paper that you see on this book. Let that glue dry before you proceed to finish the repair.

Step 3

Little Red Wagon (Mickie_G)

Step 3. Apply the Glue

Applying glue where the spine will be touching the book (joint). You do not need to apply the glue to the cardboard spine cover.

Step 4

Little Red Wagon (Mickie_G)

Step 4. Continue Applying the Glue

Apply glue to the corner of the textblock, too. Remember to clean the brush with warm water and soap if you want to use the brush again.

Step 5

Photo by Little Red Wagon

Step 5

Photo by Little Red Wagon

Step 5. Brace the Book to Let the Glue Dry

Gently rub the spine where the glue was applied.

Put a bamboo skewer in the joint channel and hold it in place with rubber bands. Leave the book alone for at least half a day.

Another Excellent Adhesive to Repair Books

A Book Repair Manual From Dartmouth Library

• Book Repair Manual
  An easy to navigate website from the Dartmouth Library. I have used this source many times to refresh my mind on how to best make a repair to a much loved book. Remember, always do your research before you attempt to make any kind of repair.

© 2012 Mickie’s Little Red Wagon

If you have any questions about this kind of book repair, please feel free to ask. I will try to be prompt.

David on April 27, 2018:

You were 100% correct in saying that the book was not very well made. Unfortunate, like most products we get nowadays, practically all products today are not very well made. It is all about the money and no pride goes into the making of products. As a professional bookbinder who hand makes all of his products, your instructions and repair here very good. Of course this is really a temporary repair that will not hold up for a long time, it is a good fix for the situation you were in at the time. Congratulations on your repair work.

Diane on January 18, 2017:

This is really helpful, thanks! You should also update your link to the recommended glue, because that one has a 1-2 month shipping time.