I got a book in the mail today, and it has what I would call a cracked spine.  Not only does it open to a particular page, but it is like this section of the book is "broken," yet the pages are not separating from the binding.  I checked the book conditions guideline, and I could not find anything about a cracked spine, so I guess this is OK?  Is it repostable? Also, is it fixable?  It looks like it could be glued, but I'd hate to ruin the book. 

Edited to add:  I do know that opening to a particular page is fine, but my question was in regards to the broken spine, in which I can see the backing between the pages.

Some people go by the rule cleaved is not postable. Since they removed the word cleaved from the rules, it seems to be an issue of disagreement. I would not post one that is cleaved but still intact myself, but I wouldn't ask for a credit back because from the rules it does sound postable.

Not sure about fixable, someone posted a thread in the last few months about a glue that was good for books, maybe she will pop in and tell you how to fix it.

The rule is that the binding "must be intact, with no separation on the inside or outside of the book."  If there is separation, then it isn't postable here.  If there is no separation, then it may be on it's last reading, but it is postable.

I figure that a paperback has a certain number of "readings" in it, and that every once in a while, I'll have to be the one to retire the book.

Here is what the Help Center says...(emphasis is mine to make note opening to a particular page is OK)

Binding:

• Must be intact, with no separation on the inside or outside of the book
• If the book tends to open at a particular page, this is OKAY
• Small amount of fraying or denting at top or bottom is OKAY

If you can see the binding between the pages, then it is not postable. That would fall into the problem of

Eh, I just recieved a book like this too. I'll be able to read it, but I'm a little annoyed that I paid a credit for a book I can't repost. :(

Edited to show I accidentally hit the Reply button instead of the Top of Page button.  Oops!  sorry.

If you wish to mend a books then go to the Demco or Bro Dart site and buy some from there.

http://www.demco.com/CGI-BIN/LANSAWEB?PROCFUN+LWDCWEB+LWDC025+PRD+ENG+FUNCPARMS+ZZWSESSID(A0200):35717819590779216414+ZZWNAVPAG(A0100):PRODUCT+ZZWBTRKID(A0120):SDD0000+DATESEQ(A0140):4182008105348

http://www.shopbrodart.com/shop/cb/product.aspx?pgid=790

I use the Brodart glue the most mainly because it works better and dries very quickly compared to the Demco.

When choosing glue if they have an archival version I would always choose that one.

If it is just one or two books then using that photo glue is ok (acid free lignin free stuff)

If you can see the binding between the pages, then it is not postable. That would fall into the problem of

Thank you, Sherry. I was confused about what the help docs meant by separation.  I can see the binding between pages. 

Thank you to everyone else for your input. 

Pam, I will be checking out those links.  Thanks!

IMHO this book should not have been posted.  You can fix it by very carefully working glue into the spine betw the pages (I use a stiff artists' brush), carefully wiping off the pages, placing wax paper between and clamping or weighting and letting dry over night.

Good luck with the repair.  Should hold if done right.

IMHO this book should not have been posted.  You can fix it by very carefully working glue into the spine betw the pages (I use a stiff artists' brush), carefully wiping off the pages, placing wax paper between and clamping or weighting and letting dry over night.

Good luck with the repair.  Should hold if done right.

you should contact sender and request a book credit.

Not trying to start an arguement just have been wondering....(not usually a safe thing to do!)

OK, question...where do we get the PBS definition of "seperation"?  

Does "binding" = glue?

If a book can tend to open at a particular page and that is OK, the only experience I've had with books that do that are ones that you can see a bit of the glue that hold the book together but, everything is still attached to the binding...

IF simply seeing the binding between the pages makes the book unpostable then many of the books in the bookstore would be unpostable.  

IF pages are still attached (thus "intact") they can't when you see the glue between the pages also be considered  "seperated" (meaning not attached). 

OK, question...where do we get the PBS definition of "seperation"?  

Does "binding" = glue?

If a book can tend to open at a particular page and that is OK, the only experience I've had with books that do that are ones that you can see a bit of the glue that hold the book together but, everything is still attached to the binding...

IF simply seeing the binding between the pages makes the book unpostable then many of the books in the bookstore would be unpostable.  

IF pages are still attached (thus "intact") they can't when you see the glue between the pages also be considered  "seperated" (meaning not attached).

I'd second that any book that I've seen that opens to one page lets you see the glue, but everything is still attached.

If you can see the intact binding, I don't think that would be separated.  Now, if any pages have come lose, or the binding has actually separated into two pieces, that would be another matter.

Some pictures in the Help Center would be nice.

I was able to repair the book with Elmer's Glue All.  It isn't professional looking, but it looks better and should hold up better now that it has been glued.  I know I should use the archival glue, but I didn't want to buy the glue and wait for it to be shipped to me.  This is the first time I've ever repaired a book.  Kinda cool to know I can fix one.