The Guild of Book Workers is a national organization dedicated to promoting interest in and awareness of the traditions of book and paper arts. Our members include hand bookbinders, conservators, restorers, illuminators, calligraphers, private press printers, and makers of paper and decorative paper, as well as librarians and collectors. Membership is open to all interested persons and includes professionals, amateurs and students, with experience ranging from decades to days.

The New York Chapter was the first regional chapter of the Guild, and supports the Guild’s mission by offering workshops, lectures and other events in and around New York.

The Guild of Book Workers celebrated its first 100 years in 2006. Its mission, when founded, was to “establish and maintain a feeling of kinship and mutual interest in the several hand book crafts.” Among its early members are well-known artist-craft people such as bookbinder Edith Diehl and printers and typographers W.A. Dwiggins and Frederic W. Gowdy.

Today, the Guild is dedicated to sustaining a community of members dedicated to the art of the book in all its forms. Its members hope to broaden public awareness of the book arts, to stimulate commissions of fine bindings, and to stress the need for sound book conservation and restoration.

Benefits of membership include:

• Subscription to The Guild of Book Workers Newsletter, a bi-monthly newsletter
• Subscription to The Guild of Book Workers Journal
• Directories of membership, specialized materials and study opportunities
• Access to an extensive lending library of historical and contemporary books, catalogues, newsletters and videos devoted to the book arts. The books and videotapes are available for circulation to members by mail.
• A website and list serve
• Traveling exhibitions of members’ works
• A 3-day annual seminar on Standards of Excellence in Hand Bookbinding, held in a different city each year.

Membership in the New York Chapter includes:

• Discounts and priority notification for all workshops and lectures offered by the chapter
• Access to the chapter website including the members gallery, where members can post information about themselves and their work, including images.

More information on membership can be found on the Guild of Book Workers national website by clicking here.