Bookbinding

During the first year, you’ll learn the history and development of this traditional craft, as well as develop a host of necessary skills. You'll make a variety of historical and modern binding structures, boxes, and other protective enclosures. The repair of cloth and paper bindings will supplement your understanding of the way books function and break down.

Toward the end of the first year and throughout the second year you will create and repair leather bindings. During your second year, you'll have the opportunity to choose additional projects that reflect your personal career goals in conservation, fine binding, or other areas of the field. Additional learning takes place outside of the classroom — through exhibits, conferences, and field trips to binderies, historic collections, private studios, and conservation labs.

More Info

JEFFREY ALTEPETER BB ’99

Jeff is the head of the Bookbinding Department, a 2003 graduate of the American Academy of Bookbinding, and a graduate of the program. After graduating, Jeff worked at Harcourt Bindery and Harvard University’s Tozzer Library. He is a past Chair of the New England Chapter of the Guild Book Workers and has mentored many NBSS graduates as they serve in GBW leadership positions. Jeff operates a bindery in Somerville, MA, and he specializes in traditional leather bindings, metalworking for bookbinding, and bookbinding exhibits.

MARTHA KEARSLEY BB ’95

Martha joined the faculty in 2009. A part-time teacher at the School, Martha is a Portland, Maine bookbinder with extensive experience in conservation. She worked as a conservator for Harvard University’s Weissman Preservation Center, the Houghton and Baker Libraries, and the library of Northwestern University.

We accept qualified applicants throughout the year. The program is extremely competitive and fills quickly, so you should apply as early as possible.

• Students are admitted in September.
• The maximum enrollment is 16 students.
• Class meets 8:00 am - 3:00 pm, Monday - Friday, September through May.
• The program length is two, nine-month academic years (72 weeks or 2340 class hours*).
• Students who complete the program receive a Diploma of Bookbinding.

* Class hours equals clock hours.

TUITION & COSTS

• September 2021-July 2022 tuition is $25,000 per year totaling $50,000* with the option of making 18 monthly payments of $2,778.
• The estimated cost of hand tools is $1,700.
• The estimated cost of materials is $1,300.
• The estimated cost of transportation, room, and board for optional class trips is $100-$3,000.

* North Bennet Street School reserves the right to increase tuition in the second and subsequent years of a course. If the School does increase tuition for a course in subsequent years, that increase will not exceed 7.5% of the previous year’s tuition. Should the School exercise its right to increase tuition, the School must give the student a minimum of ninety (90) days written notice prior to the effective date of the increase and a new enrollment agreement will be executed.

How to Fund Your EducationFinancial aid, scholarships, and veterans benefits available for qualified students.

During your studies, you’ll photograph your work and create a portfolio. Your portfolio, along with connections you’ll make during field trips and through Student Services, will help you find employment opportunities once you’ve graduated. Our Bookbinding graduates work in a wide variety of careers in binderies and conservation labs.

Our graduates work in reputable institutions such as:

• Universities such as Harvard, Columbia, Michigan State, Indiana University, Duke, Texas A&M, UCLA, and UC Berkeley
• US National Archives and Records Administration
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Boston Athenaeum
• National Park Service
• Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
• Boston Public Library
• Huntington Library
• Rare Book School
• Winterthur / University of Delaware

Job Descriptions

Some roles in which are graduates work include:

• Bindery owners
• Book conservators
• Bookbinders for private clients
• Paper conservators
• End processors
• Conservation technicians
• Project conservators
• University faculty; Book Conservation

Salary & Wages

Employment Outlook

The following information is from the US Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2015, Bookbinders and Museum Technicians and Conservators:

• Bookbinders held about 6,430 jobs in 2010, Museum Technicians and Conservators held about 10,390.
• The number of job openings for Bookbinders is expected to be 900 during the 2008-18 decade, and 2,800 for Museum Technicians and Conservators.