A lot of people don't understand what I mean when I tell them the at I am a book binder in addition to being an artist. They think "oh yea, because they used to sew books together - what antiquated technology!" and this is true. WHAT?! (one may exclaim at this juncture) Why would I admit one of the techniques I use is out-dated? The simple answer is that mass-produced adhesive bindings are much cheaper than traditional sewn bindings. If glue bindings mean that more people have the chance to learn then by all means - glue away!
Adhesive has it's proper place in the archival and traditional book world. If I didn't have my PVA I wouldn't be able to bind anything except the very simplest of cloth or paper-covered sewn books. No glue means no leather hard covers, nothing more than five signatures at the most to a book, and a weaker binding at that. The show How It's Made did segments on different book bindings. Watching these two videos highlighted the basic differences between adhesive and traditional sewn bindings and were very informational.
"Modern" Books made with adhesive
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/science-channel/30047-how-its-made-perfect-book-binding-video.htm
"Traditional" Book Binding done by a Master Binder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj1eQrXWh5w
Check out your local area for book binderies and book artists. Many practitioners of the traditional western European book binding and repair trade are not big online or even in the yellow pages. No matter where you are, there is probably a book artist studio or bindery somewhat near you. I can't speak for small towns, but even in Reno and more rural places in Nevada there are nimble fingers at work on well-lit work benches. However, I have only ever met these wonderful people by chance or through a person-to-person connection. Renaissance fairs, outdoor markets, and (of course) book making conventions like CBAA are great places to look. Definitely don't spend money or time at a conventions without a little information about what you are looking for and who you'd like to meet. Chances are that if they came to the convention the artists there will be happy to talk to you.
You might not even have to travel! You could be living down the street or only an hour away from a shop. Not everyone teaches classes and supplies in this trade are very expensive, so if you are lucky enough to find a Master Binder in the studio always call first to set up an appointment IF they are willing to let you see their studio. Aretha got it right, R-E-S-P-E-C-T! As with anyone, you will get a better response if you are respectful of space, materials, and time. Good luck!
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