hi,

i received a book that had tape down the spine and over the edges of front and back covers.  i know people do this to prevent damage and it doesn't bother me.  but i'm wondering about trading these books.  should i disclose it or is it not a big problem?  thanks, teresa

Was it an ex-library book? Many libraries do that to extend the life of the book. I don't  believe there is a problem reposting it as long as the tape is not there to hide or fix tears & a broken spine.

no., it was a paperback.  and the tape was the wide, mailing, clear type.  and just on the spine and folded over cover edges.

I don't think there's anythign specific forbidding that.  Maybe the person does it to all their books to help them last longer?  Was it showing signs of seperation or tearing?

Well, these are the guidlines for cover & binding, so I do not think the tape is an issue.

• Must both be present (front and back)
  • note that a paperback missing its front cover is  usually an illegal, unsold copy
  • "cover" does not = dust jacket.  Hardcovers do not need to include their dust jackets to be swapped here.
• Cover not torn
  • some used book stores cut out a small part of the cover; if the amount missing is less than 1 inch, this is OKAY
  • a small rip (less than 1 inch) in the cover is OKAY
• A bookplate inside the cover or on the flyleaf is OKAY

• 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

some creases were on the spine but not bad.  you know how paperbacks tend to have spine creases.  i think the tape prevents the spine from creasing and i may try it on some of my paperbacks.  no tears on the covers either and the tape makes them feel firmer.  thanks for all your comments.  teresa

If the spine on a paperback is looking rough, I'll tape over it.  I'll also tape on the corners if they're splitting but I've found a little glue  worked in the separation works just as well.

Yes, it's postable.   I'll tape over a spine with packing tape sometimes, too - for example if it looks like the cover is about to rip at the corner of the spine.     Libraries do it all the time and ex-library books are perfectly fine on PBS.

Nine times out of ten, libraries use the tape to reinforce the covers, inside & out along the spine as well as on the edges, when cataloging the book before the book ever hits the shelves.  Once in a while, they repair a book this way.