How do I request a book or periodical when the online catalog indicates it's at the bindery or being repaired?
When the library catalog says an item is "Out at Bindery" the item has been sent to our commercial bindery in Massachusetts. Most items are away from the shelf for about three weeks. If you'd like the item to be set aside for you upon its return to the Library, use the "request" button in the catalog.
When the library catalog indicates an item is "Being Repaired" the item is being repaired here at the Main Library. You may place a request at the Circulation Desk for in-house repair items. Depending on the condition of the item, your request will normally be filled within two working days and the item may even be available immediately.
What's done in Preservation & Processing (P&P)?
The main functions of the P&P are
- Processing new materials- new items being added to the collections ( books, pamphlets, audio and visual media, software, equipment, etc.) come to the P&P from the Catalog Dept. P&P staff package and label these materials so the library user can locate individual items among the thousands in the collection.
- Processing the commercial bindery shipments- most periodicals, some new paperback materials, and some older materials in need of repair, are sent to the Bridgeport National Bindery for rebinding. P&P staff prepares the shipment, conduct all communication with the bindery, and receive returning items.
- Reinforcing new paperback materials with preservation treatments- some new paperback materials get very high use. Left untreated, they would fall apart before their time. To prevent this, P&P pambinds them to protect them.
- Repairing worn and damaged books- many worn or damaged books are repaired in house using the latest conservation techniques.