Repair volunteers

ACRL Code of Ethics for Special Collections Librarians
https://rbms.info/standards/code_of_ethics/

ALA Code of Ethics
https://www.ala.org/tools/ethics

SAA Core Values Statement and Code of Ethics
https://www2.archivists.org/statements/saa-core-values-statement-and-code-of-ethics

By Courtney Miranda

A general guide for students, interns and volunteers

Before undertaking any book repair work, it’s important to understand that we are not simply fixing objects — we are caring for items that hold intellectual, cultural, historical, and emotional value. The way we repair books shapes how they can be read, used, studied, and preserved in the future. The following principles provide a foundation for ethical decision-making in book repair, regardless of skill level or institutional context.

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1. Respect for the Object

Books are more than functional containers for text. Even mass-produced paperbacks can hold personal or community significance. Ethical repair begins with acknowledging the book’s:

• Content (intellectual value)
• Physical structure (binding, materials)
• History of use (wear patterns, inscriptions, annotations)
• Future purpose (circulation, display, long-term preservation)

Your repair choices should be guided by what the book is, what it means, and how it will be used.

2. Minimal Intervention

Ethical repair aims to do only as much as necessary, not as much as possible.

• Avoid over-repairing or replacing components unnecessarily.
• Keep the original structure, materials, and evidence of use when feasible.
• Think in terms of stabilizing rather than perfecting.

Small, thoughtful repairs often serve the book better than dramatic transformations.

3. Reversibility and Future-Friendliness

Whenever possible, use methods and materials that can be undone, adjusted, or improved as techniques evolve.

• Choose reversible adhesives and repair structures when appropriate.
• Avoid creating future problems (e.g., overly aggressive trimming, using brittle materials).
• Try to follow the original structure and materials of the book as much as possible

The goal is for another binder or conservator to be able to work safely on the book decades from now.

4. Transparency

Repair should be honest.

• Do not disguise repairs to the point that they mimic original features or falsify the object’s history.
• If replacement materials are needed, make them harmonious but not misleading.
• Clear, accessible documentation helps maintain the book’s historical record.

Transparency protects trust between the repairer, the institution, and future users.

5. Appropriate Materials and Techniques

Ethical repair means using materials and methods that are:

• Safe for the book long-term
• Compatible with the original structure
• Archival or conservation-grade when needed
• Suited to the book’s future use (circulating vs. non-circulating)

Matching the repair approach to the book’s context is an ethical decision.

6. Cultural and Historical Sensitivity

Some books — especially rare, older, or culturally significant materials — require additional care.

• Consider whether the book’s deterioration is part of its heritage.
• Avoid erasing signs of previous ownership or use (marginalia, bookplates, unique features).
• When in doubt, consult with a conservator or librarian.

Ethical care respects the book’s identity, not just its functionality.

7. Competence and Skill Awareness

Your responsibility includes knowing what you can do and what you should not attempt.

• Perform repairs that match your training and experience.
• Ask for help when unsure.
• Leave complex or high-risk treatments to trained conservators.

Ethical repair is not about doing everything — it is about doing the right things.

8. Stewardship and Sustainability

Book repair contributes to the longevity of collections and reduces waste. Ethical repair means:

• Using materials responsibly
• Reducing unnecessary replacements
• Supporting access by keeping books functional
• Considering long-term environmental impacts

The book’s survival — and the collection’s — depends on collective care.

9. Access and Equity

Repair work should ultimately serve readers and communities.

• Choose repairs that support continued use.
• Avoid decisions that make a book harder to access or use.
• Keep in mind that different communities have different needs and values.

Ethical repair prioritizes users while protecting the object.

10. Repairing Books That Conflict With Personal Beliefs

In a library setting, you will inevitably encounter books whose themes, viewpoints, or authors conflict with your personal values.

Ethical book repair requires that we set aside personal beliefs in support of the library’s core mission:

A. Commitment to Intellectual Freedom

Repairing a book preserves:

• Access to a broad spectrum of ideas
• Readers’ autonomy to explore viewpoints
• The library’s role in supporting intellectual freedom

You are preserving access — not endorsing content.

B. Recognizing and Managing Bias

Ethical practice means acknowledging discomfort while ensuring it does not affect:

• The quality of your repair
• The care with which you handle the book
• Your professional conduct

Every book deserves equal treatment regardless of its subject matter.

C. Stewardship Role

Repairers do not decide what belongs in the collection — they maintain the materials chosen by librarians and needed by patrons. Professional neutrality is part of ethical stewardship.

11. Documentation

Good documentation is an ethical responsibility because it supports transparency, accountability, and future stewardship. Ideally, documentation helps future repairers understand:

• What was altered
• Why
• What materials were used
• Any future considerations
   

However, in high-volume library repair settings, full documentation for every item is not realistic.
Instead, we use a consistent, repeatable tracking system that makes it easier to:

• Record essential information quickly
• Allow future repairers to see prior work patterns
• Maintain continuity even when staff or student workers change
• Flag complex cases for more detailed notes

This approach balances real-world workflow demands with ethical expectations for clarity and transparency.

 

by Courtney Miranda
This is my own ethics statement I created for myself. I will most likely update as my skills and knowledge improve, and I recommend everyone working in book repair come up with their own value/ethics (even if it only lives in your head and doesn't get written down).

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Personal Ethics Statement for Book Conservation and Book Repair/Bookbinding

My professional ethics are guided by a commitment to stewardship, integrity, and respect for the cultural and historical value of the materials in my care. Whether preserving rare manuscripts, repairing circulating library books, or crafting new bindings, I believe that every intervention should serve the object, the user, and the community that values it.

I strive to make all treatment decisions transparent, reversible when possible, and grounded in documentation and research. My goal is to stabilize materials for continued access rather than to impose personal aesthetic preferences. I recognize the importance of distinguishing between restoration, repair, and artistic reinterpretation, and I communicate these boundaries clearly to clients, institutions, and collaborators.

Ethical practice in conservation and repair also means acknowledging the broader systems that affect preservation work: sustainability, equitable access to resources, and the cultural contexts of the materials themselves. I am committed to continual learning, environmental responsibility, and collaboration with colleagues who share these values. Above all, I view my role not as ownership over an object’s future, but as temporary guardianship within its ongoing story.

Addendum: Book Conservation

As a conservator, I am guided by the principles established by organizations such as the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) and the Institute of Conservation (ICON), emphasizing minimal intervention, reversibility, and full documentation. I recognize that my choices directly influence an artifact’s longevity and future research value. My ethical obligation is to preserve original materials and evidence of use whenever feasible, respecting the artifact’s authenticity and historical integrity.

Addendum: Book Repair and Bookbinding

As a book repairer and binder, I strike a balance between function and preservation. My ethical approach emphasizes durability, user needs, and transparency about the level of intervention. I take care to avoid over-restoration and to use materials and techniques that respect the original structure and intent of the book. When blinding new works, I honor both craftsmanship and creative expression while maintaining honesty about when a piece is conservation-driven versus artistic or utilitarian in purpose.