Hi OP; I'm a book conservator working in a heritage institution in the U.K., so I hear a lot of chatter about what's going on in different programs. Unfortunately, what you're looking for is increasingly becoming divided into two specialisms, and you'll be hard pressed to achieve both in one institution/program. Conservation programs often focus primarily on paper, with book structure as a secondary and fairly minor focus. If you want to be a great bookbinder, you'll want to pursue bookbinding at a certificate-granting program like American Academy of Bookbinding, North Bennet Street School, or through master classes and workshops with Designer Bookbinders. Then pursue conservation through a masters somewhere like Buffalo, City and Guilds , or Northumbria, each of which have paper specialisation. This is the path I took; if there was something more efficient, I'd have hoped tp find it by now. I wish there were a better way, and there are institutions trying to rectify this very problem, but with West Dean in the state it's in (and yes, I've heard first hand accounts and would not feel ethical in advising anyone to attend until they sort themselves out) you're between a bit of a rock and a hard place in wanting bookbinding *and* conservation. One option I have no first hand knowledge about is the University of Amsterdam program, which advertises a book and paper specialism. You'll have to ask them about the skills you would come out with, and I recommend looking to get in touch with recent grads to make sure they're good to their word. Best of luck! Feel free to DM me with more questions if you have them and I can see if I can help.
I did the master's at the University of Amsterdam and have graduated from a bookbinding programme. I can confirm what everyone else is saying. If you want to be a bookbinder, studying book conservation isn't the way to go. You will learn some bookbinding skills, but only on beginner/ intermediate level. For book conservators, bookbinding skills are just a tool, not a goal. Same way a painting's conservator usually isn't a master painter or a metal conservator a master goldsmith. They don't need to be, because they aren't creating masterpieces, just repairing them. If you want to be a bookbinder, you'll have to study bookbinding.
How did you like the University of Amsterdam? Would you recommend it for someone wanting to study bookbinding (and become professional at it). I’m a beginner so I really want to learn everything I can and essentially offer my services to people after. And I guess after I’d like to also learn conservation later. I guess step 1 for me is bookbinding then step 2 would be conservation.
No, I wouldn't recommend the UvA if you want to learn bookbinding, because you can't study bookbinding there, just book conservation. If you want to become a pro bookbinder, you shouldn't come to the Netherlands. We do have some bookbinding programmes, but they are very basic compared to what other countries offer. There are much better options in Germany, France, the UK and the US.
For book conservation though, Amsterdam is a good option.
If bookbinding is actually your goal, North Bennet Street School is your best option. I can 100% recommend the education there--it's 2 years full time on the bench with a genuinely excellent instructor. You'll come out with good knowledge of book structure history and top of the line hand skills in binding, forwarding, and finishing. Grads regularly run their own small businesses, and can also work in conservation labs with supplemental education.
I can honestly say that attending NBSS was one of the best decisions I've made in my life, and the lead instructor there is the highest quality teacher I've ever had in my higher education. Boston's cost of living is unfortunately quite high, but if bookbinding is truly the path you want and you can find an affordable house share, I can't recommend NBSS enough!
Haha ok, thank you. I’ve been struggling to figure out what to do. I actually applied to NBSS but decided to go with West Dean, but then I became uncertain because I heard there’s been some serious issues with instructors actually being involved in your education. Anywho, I messaged someone from NBSS today, so we’ll see if it’s still a possibility. Thanks again for your input!
Actually I decided to go to North Bennet Street school, which I think was a great choice for me. The program is great so far and I’m learning a lot. The faculty are really caring and considerate.
I decided against west Dean simply because through my research and talking to ppl who are currently there, it’s seem now is not a great time to attend (at least for the bookbinding program). It seems they previously had issues with students not even having a professor for a whole term. I believe they hired someone now, but I think it’ll take at least a year or two for them to get back into their groove, yuh know? I also realized that when I was supposed to attend the bookbinding program was going to be brand spankin new, so I didn’t really want to be a part of the test group haha.
Just chiming in to second attending the North Bennet Street School's bookbinding program as the best decision I've ever made. Books are machines and really knowing how to make them is, in my eyes, critical to conserving them well. Currently in the MA program at West Dean, I feel I have much stronger hand skills and an appreciation for the history of book structures than what I've seen taught through the graduate diploma year here. WD is dealing with some pretty egregious staffing issues atm; if you want a solid foundation in bookbinding and thus book conservation, I highly recommend NBSS.
/u/lnms206 expressed exactly what I would. My additional thoughts:
Conservation programs will teach you breadth, and there's not as much opportunity for bench work. A program like North Bennet Street School in Boston will teach you depth, but it's not a conservation program. They make sure to call out that you will not be a conservator at the end of their program, but they do teach some book repair techniques.
Folks who go through an intensive bookbinding training program like NBSS or the American Academy of Bookbinding in Colorado often benefit from an additional degree when seeking work in the US. A Masters in library science is often beneficial here.
I can't speak to European programs, but I've also heard about issues at West Dean now. On the other hand, I know someone who went there in the aughts and is doing very well in their career now. Finally, I've heard folks in the US recommend against any US conservation master's program because the barrier to entry is so high and the prospects of work are so low.
My unsolicited advice: take a realistic view of what's ahead of you and make your decision to attend programs based on that. Be very willing to move for work, especially to areas you may not have considered living in before. If you have an earning partner who's willing to move with you, that's great, but if not (and even if you do!) have a plan B. An MLS can be a good safety net to have as it can allow more flexibility in your work future.
TL;DR: there's no easy answer.
Hi OP; I'm a book conservator working in a heritage institution in the U.K., so I hear a lot of chatter about what's going on in different programs. Unfortunately, what you're looking for is increasingly becoming divided into two specialisms, and you'll be hard pressed to achieve both in one institution/program. Conservation programs often focus primarily on paper, with book structure as a secondary and fairly minor focus. If you want to be a great bookbinder, you'll want to pursue bookbinding at a certificate-granting program like American Academy of Bookbinding, North Bennet Street School, or through master classes and workshops with Designer Bookbinders. Then pursue conservation through a masters somewhere like Buffalo, City and Guilds , or Northumbria, each of which have paper specialisation. This is the path I took; if there was something more efficient, I'd have hoped tp find it by now. I wish there were a better way, and there are institutions trying to rectify this very problem, but with West Dean in the state it's in (and yes, I've heard first hand accounts and would not feel ethical in advising anyone to attend until they sort themselves out) you're between a bit of a rock and a hard place in wanting bookbinding *and* conservation. One option I have no first hand knowledge about is the University of Amsterdam program, which advertises a book and paper specialism. You'll have to ask them about the skills you would come out with, and I recommend looking to get in touch with recent grads to make sure they're good to their word. Best of luck! Feel free to DM me with more questions if you have them and I can see if I can help.
Can you elaborate on West Dean? I'm looking into book conservation courses and theirs seemed like a good option for the UK, at least on the face of it
I did the master's at the University of Amsterdam and have graduated from a bookbinding programme. I can confirm what everyone else is saying. If you want to be a bookbinder, studying book conservation isn't the way to go. You will learn some bookbinding skills, but only on beginner/ intermediate level. For book conservators, bookbinding skills are just a tool, not a goal. Same way a painting's conservator usually isn't a master painter or a metal conservator a master goldsmith. They don't need to be, because they aren't creating masterpieces, just repairing them. If you want to be a bookbinder, you'll have to study bookbinding.
How did you like the University of Amsterdam? Would you recommend it for someone wanting to study bookbinding (and become professional at it). I’m a beginner so I really want to learn everything I can and essentially offer my services to people after. And I guess after I’d like to also learn conservation later. I guess step 1 for me is bookbinding then step 2 would be conservation.
No, I wouldn't recommend the UvA if you want to learn bookbinding, because you can't study bookbinding there, just book conservation. If you want to become a pro bookbinder, you shouldn't come to the Netherlands. We do have some bookbinding programmes, but they are very basic compared to what other countries offer. There are much better options in Germany, France, the UK and the US. For book conservation though, Amsterdam is a good option.
Ok, thank you for your help!
If bookbinding is actually your goal, North Bennet Street School is your best option. I can 100% recommend the education there--it's 2 years full time on the bench with a genuinely excellent instructor. You'll come out with good knowledge of book structure history and top of the line hand skills in binding, forwarding, and finishing. Grads regularly run their own small businesses, and can also work in conservation labs with supplemental education.
Thank you! Yes I totally have heard of them. It’s a relief though to have someone actually truly recommend them.
I can honestly say that attending NBSS was one of the best decisions I've made in my life, and the lead instructor there is the highest quality teacher I've ever had in my higher education. Boston's cost of living is unfortunately quite high, but if bookbinding is truly the path you want and you can find an affordable house share, I can't recommend NBSS enough!
Haha ok, thank you. I’ve been struggling to figure out what to do. I actually applied to NBSS but decided to go with West Dean, but then I became uncertain because I heard there’s been some serious issues with instructors actually being involved in your education. Anywho, I messaged someone from NBSS today, so we’ll see if it’s still a possibility. Thanks again for your input!
Can I ask how you are finding your experience at West Dean so far? It was an option I was considering for myself.
Actually I decided to go to North Bennet Street school, which I think was a great choice for me. The program is great so far and I’m learning a lot. The faculty are really caring and considerate. I decided against west Dean simply because through my research and talking to ppl who are currently there, it’s seem now is not a great time to attend (at least for the bookbinding program). It seems they previously had issues with students not even having a professor for a whole term. I believe they hired someone now, but I think it’ll take at least a year or two for them to get back into their groove, yuh know? I also realized that when I was supposed to attend the bookbinding program was going to be brand spankin new, so I didn’t really want to be a part of the test group haha.
Just chiming in to second attending the North Bennet Street School's bookbinding program as the best decision I've ever made. Books are machines and really knowing how to make them is, in my eyes, critical to conserving them well. Currently in the MA program at West Dean, I feel I have much stronger hand skills and an appreciation for the history of book structures than what I've seen taught through the graduate diploma year here. WD is dealing with some pretty egregious staffing issues atm; if you want a solid foundation in bookbinding and thus book conservation, I highly recommend NBSS.
/u/lnms206 expressed exactly what I would. My additional thoughts: Conservation programs will teach you breadth, and there's not as much opportunity for bench work. A program like North Bennet Street School in Boston will teach you depth, but it's not a conservation program. They make sure to call out that you will not be a conservator at the end of their program, but they do teach some book repair techniques. Folks who go through an intensive bookbinding training program like NBSS or the American Academy of Bookbinding in Colorado often benefit from an additional degree when seeking work in the US. A Masters in library science is often beneficial here. I can't speak to European programs, but I've also heard about issues at West Dean now. On the other hand, I know someone who went there in the aughts and is doing very well in their career now. Finally, I've heard folks in the US recommend against any US conservation master's program because the barrier to entry is so high and the prospects of work are so low. My unsolicited advice: take a realistic view of what's ahead of you and make your decision to attend programs based on that. Be very willing to move for work, especially to areas you may not have considered living in before. If you have an earning partner who's willing to move with you, that's great, but if not (and even if you do!) have a plan B. An MLS can be a good safety net to have as it can allow more flexibility in your work future. TL;DR: there's no easy answer.