Q. I need to repair/rebind an old book. Do you have a local bookbinder or book repair referral?

There are no local book repair services in Thousand Oaks, but you can find companies in the Greater LA area.  Try searching the Internet or in telephone directories under "book binding and repair."

Many book conservators suggest that rebinding may damage or reduce the value of an old book, and propose that a "Phase Box" can be constructed to keep delicate volumes safe without damaging them. Endangered Archives has this simple diagram for creating a Phase Box.  You can also find videos showing how to make your own Phase Box. 

Lastly, some book repair businesses will offer the option of creating a custom book box, which looks very nice on a shelf, but these are a bit more expensive, although they tend to be less than most rebinding or repair work, some suppliers offer standard sizes for about $25.  Most rebinding work for leather volumes will cost just over $100 for a smaller book, larger volumes may be over $200.