With the high cost of trade paperbacks today, it is extremely important that libraries find ways to make their books last. Most public libraries and school libraries have extremely limited budgets for purchasing new titles and would much rather spend their money expanding their collection instead of replacing their books. Now libraries can extend the life of their trade paperback books using a thermal binding machine. Here's how...

When most trade paperback books are shipped from their publishers they are suitable for personal use. However, their bindings are often not strong enough to hold up to the abuse that most library books receive. Over time the covers of the books can begin to separate from the book block or pages can fall out. However, the binding of these books can be significantly improved by simply running them through a thermal binding machine. The binding machine reactivates the glue in the spine of the books and helps to ensure that the book block is securely fastened to the cover.

In order to complete this process you simply take your brand new trade paperback books out of the box and insert them directly into your thermal binding machine. Simply press the button to start the thermal binding cycle and approximately 45 seconds later the book will be done. When the binding machine beeps to let you know that the book has finished you simply take the book out of the machine and firmly tap the spine of the book onto a hard surface such as the counter. Tapping the spine of the book on the counter will help to ensure that the book block is fully seated into the still hot glue. Finally, you set your book in the cooling stand (or on your book cart) to cool. The glue will fully cure and harden in less than 15 minutes and the bind of the book will be considerably improved.

For best results most users should use a thermal binding machine with a 2" throat that will accommodate most paperback books (many thermal binding machines only have a 1" throat). Additionally, choosing a thermal binding machine with all metal construction and heavy duty heating elements will help ensure that the machine will last for years in even the largest libraries. Most thermal binding machines are just a little bit larger than a toaster (so it won't take up a lot of counter space), and require no maintenance.

In addition to extending the life of your trade paperback books, your thermal binding machine can also be used to repair damaged books making it even more useful for use in both small and large libraries. Check out our other article on repairing books using your thermal binding machine. Plus, if you are part of a school library the binding machine can even be used to bind your own school yearbooks when used along with thermal hard cover cases and a hard cover crimper.