The Conservation of Caroline Lamb's Commonplace Book

Conservator Kate Kidd produced this poster detailing her treatment of Caroline Lamb's Commonplace Book

Conservation of Commonplace Book

The Elizabeth Soutar Bookbinding Competition

Elizabeth Soutar Bookbinding CompetitionIn 1993 the Elizabeth Soutar Bookbinding Competition competition was initiated by the Library in order to recognise excellence in the field of craft bookbinding. Such is its appeal that it now attracts binders from all over Europe. Recent winners have hailed from Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Italy and the Netherlands, as well as Scotland, England and Japan.

Creative and craft binding categories
This competition aims to encourage the practice and development of both creative and craft binding skills which display individual expression and originality. The judges look for a best creative and a best craft binding. Each category carries two prizes - a main prize of £1,200 and a student prize of £600.

We define a student as any person receiving full or part-time training or education in bookbinding. We consider all student entries for both the main and student categories, but they are only eligible for one prize.

Exclusive binding
We ask entrants to submit a binding that has been bound exclusively for this competition using materials of their own choice. The winning entries join our collection of fine bindings.

Mrs Elizabeth A Clark (formerly Soutar) of Moray sponsored the award from 1993 until her death in 2008. Thanks to a bequest from her, the competition continues.

The closing date for the 2011 competition is 14 November. We will announce the winners towards the end of the year.

Photographs of previous entries

How to make a simple pamphlet binding.

This video demonstrates how to make a simple 5-hole pamphlet binding.

NLS Handling Guidelines

Guidelines for Handling NLS Material

General Guidelines

• Ensure you have a clear, clean workspace before fetching material.

• Always make sure your hands are clean and dry. Wash hands frequently while working with material. Gloves are not necessary unless you are handling photographic material.

• Remove bulky and sharp jewellery. Do not use hand cream while handling material.

• Do not eat or drink while handling material.

• Only use pencil, never pens or markers.

• Do not use Post-it Notes, paperclips, or Blu-tack on material.

Books

• Always remove books from shelves by grasping sides of spine, never by the headcap. If necessary, push the two adjacent books back slightly to get a good grip.

• Use a book pillow or a foam book rest if possible. A snake weight will hold the book open in place.

Loose Sheets/flat sheet items

• If possible, carry the entire archive box to your work area. Remove folders from box one at a time. Keep folders flat as you move them.

• Do not carry single loose sheets. If you must move a single sheet, place it on a piece of stiff paper or card and hold two corners.

• Always keep loose sheets in order.

Large Folders/Outsized Material

• Ensure your work area is clear enough to accommodate the open folder. Do not open folders on top of other material.

• Lift large folders by holding opposite corners, allowing the folder to droop in a gentle arc between your arms.