A bookbinding workshop in the Library of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin in the years 1947-2017

Jolanta Wasilewska

Abstract

In 1947 a bookbinding workshop was established on the initiative of the Rector of KUL, Rev. Prof. Antoni Słomkowski. The workshop was located in a small room in the west wing of the University (Aleje Racławickie), next to the academic church. This place was created as there was a need for taking care of the collections belonging to the university library. The books had hitherto not been properly preserved and if the bookbinding service was required, it was provided by private workshops. The first bookbinders were Bolesława Wisińska and Sister Róża from the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Face. In 1950 the bookbinding workshop was transferred to the building of the Central Library (27 Chopina Street), where it is still located now. Over a period of 70 years, the workshop employed 39 people, including six sisters from the Congregation, six graduates of the Art Department at Maria Curie Skłodowska University and 2 people with the degree in Art History at the Catholic University of Lublin. The job of a bookbinder is a specific one, as it combines both physical and mental labour. It is primarily individual work. A bookbinder should be familiar with the structure of a book, a selection of paper products, bookbinding materials, tools, equipment and machines. He should also be able to operate these devices. A bookbinder’s task is to create a usable form of the printed sheets of paper and to professionally prepare them for bookbinding.