Library Recommendations for the Preparation of
School of Architecture Projects in lieu of Thesis
We understand that the creative freedoms necessary to fully express many of the ideas inherent in
projects such as these require wider parameters than the standard 8 ½ by 11 inch white paper, so these
are recommendations only. However, we cannot necessarily guarantee the long-term viability of the
binding of items that are completely outside the norm.
With that in mind, the Libraries would like to work with the School of Architecture and its graduate
students to produce the highest quality product possible, and smooth the process of providing successful
long-term access to the information in these projects. Our recommendations are listed below.
Recommendations to facilitate Library Cataloging
1. Insure that both copies are exactly the same (pagination, text, layout, content, etc.)
2. Use a standard title page that indicates the following information: Title, Author, Year of
Publication, Name of Degree, and Faculty Advisor(s). This information is needed for the
catalog record.
Recommendations to facilitate quality library binding & preservation (in order of importance.)
1) To produce a commercial library binding that will stand up to the kinds of use circulating library
collections receive (Xerox machines, etc.), these documents MUST have at least a 1-inch
binding margin. Depending on a complex set of variables, we use either sewing or gluing to
form the text block and both methods require significant margins. [On a related note, please
make clear which edge is the binding edge. In many of the projects we have seen, the
possibility exists to bind on the short edge as well as the long edge.]
2) Projects should be submitted on acid free paper. Acid free paper is stocked at all reputable
copy centers, is not much more expensive than acidic paper and will last for hundreds of years
rather than degrading within 35 to 50 years.
3) All pages in the document should, if at all possible, be the same size. When adding a fold
out as such a map or drawing, make sure that the folded edge of the map does not come within
an inch of the binding margin. If it is too close, it can accidentally be bound in and will thus be
inaccessible.
4) If possible, refrain from using overly heavy paper. Thick, clay coated (shiny) papers are
exceedingly difficult to bind and increase the possibility of breaking the binding.
5) Many of the projects are submitted with Mylar covers or inserts. These are exceedingly difficult to
bind and increase the possibility of breaking the binding. Instead of the thick plastic, we suggest
onionskin paper or thinner overlay paper.
Adopting as many as possible of these recommendations will help the Library produce the
highest possible quality bound copies records for the public catalog.
Questions? Please contact:
Ann Lindell, Architecture Librarian, 273-2805 lindell@ufl.edu