Decisions will be made continuously on how to handle worn titles regardless of format: whether to mend, bind or withdraw them. Each decision is based on the actual condition of the title, the number of duplicate copies in the collection, the current validity of its contents, availability of the title for reorder, and the cost of mending versus the cost of replacement. In making such decisions, these guidelines will be followed:

• Withdraw titles under the guidelines in the weeding policy, or as their condition is noted.
• Assuming the title is still available, replacement with a new copy is preferable to rebinding if costs are comparable.
• In cases where rebinding will not restore the title to a condition suitable for normal library use, the title should be replaced.
• Books which are worn and cannot be rebound due to overly narrow margins or brittle pages should also be replaced with a new or good second-hand copy.
• Binding is preferable to mending if a title is expected to have long term usefulness and if an inordinate amount of mending is required.
• Mending will be done only when need is detected early. In general, most pamphlets and paperbacks which are in poor condition should be discarded.
• In some instances, an irreplaceable title of importance must be retained regardless of condition. Such a title will be boxed and special handling given.
• Titles received in a loose-leaf format or with loose parts will be considered for rebinding or pamphlet binding based upon anticipated use.

For additional information on preservation and conservation of historical materials, please see the following brochures from Special Collections: