Binding Conventions for Music Materials

Abstract

Many procedures common in the binding of books are not feasible for use with music scores. A small sample of academic libraries was surveyed about many of the special considerations required in the establishment of local binding procedures for music scores. Strictly from a preservation standpoint, many practices of the libraries in this survey sample are not sound. There is a growing level of communication among music publishers and music librarians about the “preservability” of published music. Carefully established binding practices are of paramount importance if a music collection is to serve the public of the music library for an extended length of time.