Have you ever had a favourite book that fell apart? You could probably replace it quite easily if it was a modern book. Older books are harder to find, and they have important histories. Book restorers help to repair books for organizations, companies, and other customers to help them keep their documents safe.

Book restorers usually have university degrees in a field such as fine arts or art conservation and restoration. Most universities in Canada have three- or four-year programs in these topics, and some community colleges also have classes that could help. Learning on the job is also a good way of developing the skills necessary for the work. Some of the key skills are repairing tears in paper, leather, or other materials, removing water stains and other spots from books, and rebinding books.

Much of the work that book restorers do is with older books in museums, universities, libraries, or art galleries. Other work might be with customers who have books that are special for some reason. For example, someone might want help with a family history book that contains immigration documents or other things that they cannot replace. Some book restorers might even want to do both, working at a restoration job while also working part time at small business. Being able to work with your hands and use various tools is a necessary part of the job.

Book restorers generally earn between $54,000 and $74,000 per year. Large universities or libraries are most likely to have these types of jobs, but smaller places also have some possibilities. This job is entirely indoors and can be solitary, but book restorers often consult with their colleagues and spend time at conferences and other events. Paper cuts and other small injuries are common, and the dust on books can cause problems for people with allergies. Otherwise, this is a safe job that people can do even into old age.

Sometimes, book restoration can be creative. Many older books have decorations on the covers and some of the pages. The materials for making these shapes and colours might not be available by now, and book restorers might have to find new ways of getting what they need. For example, a plant that people used in Russia hundreds of years ago to make a yellow colour might not be available in Canada. A book restorer might need to find a substitute for that plant or send away to Russia for the dye.

Book restoration is very delicate work, and it takes patience. Difficult projects can take days or even weeks, and book restorers need to keep good records of what they have already done. Part of the job is also training other people to do some of the work so that the process can go faster. If you like to do careful work and you enjoy working with books, this might be the right career for you.

Book restoration might seem like an old-fashioned job these days, but it is important for preserving history and old documents.

Bibliography:

Book & Paper Conservation Services. “Fine Art Conservation & Restoration.” https://www.bookandpaperconservationservices.com/conservation-of-art-on-paper.

Canadian Association of Professional Conservators. “A Career in Conservation.” https://capc-acrp.ca/en/what-is-conservation/a-career-in-conservation.

Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild. “What is Bookbinding?” https://www.cbbag.ca/about-cbbag/what-is-bookbinding.

Crafts Council UK. “Crafts Job Profile: Book Binder.” https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/articles/crafts-job-profile-book-binder/.

Job Bank. “Binding and Finishing Machine Operator near Toronto (ON).” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/wages-occupation/18555/22437.

Job Bank. “Conservator—Museum.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/jobsearch/jobposting/31742589.