Do you like the feel of opening up a brand new book? Interested in having your own journal, scrapbook, or sketchbook that you created? Maybe you are looking for the perfect gift for a friend who loves books. This class is for you! Participants will learn how to make a hardcover book from scratch, turning a folded stack of paper into a beautifully sewn blank book. We will also take a glimpse into the conservation lab of the library where rare books are repaired and have an exclusive visit to Joyner Library's Special Collections to examine books that span the past 500+ years of print and publication history. Perfect class for book lovers and those that want to work with their hands. Participants should be comfortable using sharps and other paper-cutting tools. Parking is available in the parking garage next to Joyner Library (parking rate is $1 per hour). Instructor, Lawrence Houston, will meet you in the Joyner Library lobby to direct you to where you need to go. Day 1: Participants make book cloth for covering their book. Work on cutting down large sheets of paper and folding pages to make signatures. Press the signatures and let book cloth dry until next class session. Day 2: Trimming, punching holes, and sewing the text block. Day 3: Lining the text blocks, covering the boards, & casing the book into hard covers. Day 4: Finish with titling the covers of the books, and tour Joyner Library Special Collections. *Participants who would like to use their own cloth for designing their book covers should bring a fat quarter (18x22 inch) of 100% cotton fabric that has been rinsed in hot water and allowed to line dry. Fat quarters that have been pre-rinsed will be available for participants.*

Registration Information:
Registration opens in-person at our Fall Kickoff event on August 12th from 1pm - 4pm in the ECU Willis Building. It opens online on August 13th, and by phone on August 15th.

Registration deadline: September 3, 2022

Cost:Members - $30
Non-members - $40.