FAQS - Frequently Asked Questions

General

How do I get into bookbinding?

First, congratulations on finding the craft, and on finding us - that's a great start! While there are many (many) videos and tutorials online, as with other handcrafts there is no substitute for being able to see and hear a tutor, and for them to be able to see and hear you - an experienced binder can tell when you're cutting paper wrong with their back turned to you....Or some can, at any rate.

We recommend joining the Society, and getting in touch with your nearest Region. You can also look up our Find a Tutor or Find a Course pages for possible next steps in your bookbinding journey.

How long has the Society been going?

We recently celebrated our 50th anniversary.

What is a book?

A book in its most general sense is a document or text recording something. It may not actually exist – it might be known of but lost, or it might lie in the eye of its potential author. To be useful, however, it needs to exist in a tangible form capable of being read. That now includes electronic forms, but Bookbinders are concerned in the main with the protective covering of a book recorded in some way on parchment or paper.

Find out more

Website

Do I need an account to use the website?

No, you do not need an account to access most of the information on the Society website. If you want to access member-only material, in addition to having a valid membership plan, you will need to have a user account.

Accessing Member-only content

To access member-only content you must:

• have a valid (i.e. current) membership with the Society
• have a user account on this website. Members will have received instructions as to how to create one, but if you have lost or never received this email, you can click on the 'Login' button at the top right of the screen and this will begin the process.NOTE - your previous account on the 'Codex' website will not work here.
• NOTE - use the email address with which you have registered for membership

Where can I find...

• We have transferred most of the existing website content, and we will endeavour to add more of the historic events and competition catalogues shortly.
• Webinar recordings are posted under Resources.
• Most of the content from the old Members Codex has been transferred to the Resources section, including AGM minutes and the like.
• Most of the information related to people is being sourced directly from the profile database serving the membership system. So if there is an error or omission there, for most cases you can update the information yourself (if you have an account).
• Information about the Regions is now under About, with all regional news, events and articles being posted in the News section.
• Non-members can post contributions in the Noticeboard, and add comments.

I've spotted a mistake - how do I get it fixed?

Please contact the website editor in the first instance. This is a shared email inbox.

Understanding what others see: Directories - Members / Binders / Tutors / Officers / Courses / Binderies

The website offers a number of Directories to members, with a small number also being available to non-members. 

It is strongly recommended that you keep your details up to date in Your Profile, as this is used for both the Directories, email, and postal communications. If you have more than one address, please use your membership one as Primary (unless you appear in the Services Directories explained later). You can also maintain your Gift Aid status, which generates significant income for the Society.

To appear in Member Directories:

The main criteria used to determine whether your data is shown to others is the 'Appear in Directories' flag, which can either be 'Yes' or 'No'. 

If you are not a volunteer, binder, or tutor, you may still wish to be contactable by other members. If you select 'Yes' to appear in directories your contact details will appear in both the national member directory (under About) and the Regional membership directory for the Region you belong to.
Note - If you choose 'No' you will not appear in any Directory. 

To appear as a Trustee, National Officer, or Regional Officer of the Society (i.e. the volunteers):

An Administrator will need to add you to the relevant Group. Please contact the Membership Secretary in the first instance.

To appear in the Service Directories (Find a Binder / Tutor) :

• you must have a current membership with the Society
• in My Profile, tick either or both Find a Binder or Find a Tutor
• (optional) add Bookbinding interests to help people make informed decisions
• (optional) add a Profile Description that helps people understand what services you do/don't offer
• an Adminstrator will verify that you have provided the right details, and add you to the relevant groups.

To appear in the Trade Directories (Find a Course, others):

• you do not need to be a current corporate member (although it is appreciated)
• it is not currently possible to edit an Organisation entry directly - sorry about this.
• send the relevant contact details and Profile Description to [email protected]