Honors Thesis Binding

The Honors Committee Chairperson collects one copy of each thesis from the student and sends it to the Bertrand Library to be bound and housed in the library's collection. Binding costs for this copy are incurred by the Honors Committee. Additional personal or departmental copies may be bound at the student's expense by contacting Mary Lou Neidig (x73315).


Preparation of the Thesis for Binding

1. Follow guidelines from the Honors Council regarding format, margins, etc.

2. Reproduce the number of copies to be bound.

  • Students must have all duplicating done BEFORE it is submitted for binding; the library does not do any duplicating. Students who do not wish to do their own duplicating may contact the Office of Publications, Print and Mail in Marts Hall or another copying service.
  • The Honors Committee copy must be printed on acid-free paper and contain the advisor's signature, the department chair's signature, and a date.
  • Personal copies are not required to be on acid-free paper, however, if departmental copies are being bound, check with the department regarding their requirements.
  • Copies with another binder attached or holes punches in the paper (i.e., spiral or three-ring binders), will not be accepted. Copies should come in a folder, envelope, or other suitable container.
  • If the thesis includes something other than printed pages, such as a collage or pages from a hand-written journal, please consult with the library before the thesis is turned in to the committee. Items stuffed into a plastic page cover will not be accepted.
  • Any multi-media enclosures (such as a videocassette or cd) should be duplicated. One copy will be shelved with the thesis and one copy will be cataloged for the regular collection so that it may circulate.
  • Photographs or illustrations should be scanned and added to you original document file. Students should make an appointment with the Tech Desk staff for assistance. Do not use rubber cement, Elmer's glue or spray adhesive to attach an original photograph or illustration to your thesis.
  • If you need help to meet specifications with graphic imaging, please contact the Technology Desk x77777.
  • The theses will be bound exactly as they are turned in (i.e., if pages are out of order or upside down they will not be changed unless another binding fee is paid).

3. Present one completed copy to the Honors Committee Chairperson. This copy will be bound and become part of the library's collection.

4. Bring any personal and/or departmental copies that you wish to have bound to the library.

5. Complete an Honors Thesis Binding Request Form.

  • The phone number should reflect where the student can be reached over the next 4-6 weeks. We will inform you if there is a problem with your thesis or if it will take longer than originally anticipated.
  • Designate where the copies are to be sent. Copies will be sent on-campus free of charge, or they can be picked up personally in the library. Copies sent off-campus will be shipped via UPS and must have a street address. There is a shipping charge for copies to be sent off-campus.
  • Thesis copies are bound in black buckram with your choice of white or gold lettering.
  • The library pays for the library copy. The student pays for all other copies to be bound. If a department wishes to assume the bindery costs for specific copies, a memo to that effect must be submitted to the library with the thesis or they can email neidig@bucknell.edu (remember, the department needs to state exactly how many copies they are willing to pay for). The department will receive an invoice from Ridley's Bindery which they can pay directly or charge to their departmental account.
  • You are responsible for paying the binding fee for any copies other than the library's and those that may be covered by your department. We accept cash or checks (payable to Bucknell University). We cannot bill credit cards or university accommodation accounts. The binding fee must be paid in full before the thesis is sent to the bindery.

For further information, please contact:

Mary Lou Neidig - Library Technical Assistant x73315


Honors Program Guidelines for Preparing an Honors Thesis at Bucknell | Honors Thesis Binding Request Form (pdf)