New year, new membership cycle!

After much consideration, HBC has decided to change our membership cycle to begin January 1 of each year, rather than aligning our membership cycle with our fiscal year. We hope this will make things much easier for members, especially when determining whether your membership is current. For those of you who like to enter our exhibitions, it will also make it easier since you will be renewing your membership before filling out the intent to enter form, rather than after.

There are several types of memberships for Hand Bookbinders of California. You can join as a new single member or as a couple (Double) at the same address. Below are items to choose from for your membership. If you have questions or are unsure of what type of membership you require please contact us.

If you prefer to send a check when you join, please download the Membership Sign-up Form and mail it to us at the address at the bottom of this page.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

Our Annual Exhibition Each year, we sponsor a nonjuried bookbinding and book art exhibition featuring recent works by members. These exhibitions are often hosted by prominent book related venues such as the American Bookbinders Museum and the San Francisco Public Library Rare Book Collection. It is an opportunity for any member of the Hand Bookbinders to showcase their recent work.

Workshop Discount We bring top binders to the Bay Area for workshops that provide hands-on instruction in technique, innovative binding structures, paper decorating, equipment maintenance and many other topics. Members may enroll in these workshops for a discounted price. As well, members may apply for the Jane Aaron Scholarship, which will be granted subject to need.

The San Francisco Center for the Book serves as the venue for many HBC meetings, including HBC Bindery Nights. Bring your bookbinding project and get tips from experienced binders on how to improve your work. The Center houses letterpress and bookbinding equipment and a resource library.

The HBC Monthly Newsletter Each month, we send an email news journal keeping you informed of past and future events. Have a piece of bookbinding equipment to sell, or looking for something to purchase? We have a classified ads section. We also post notices of notable book-related events by partner organizations.

The HBC Webpage offers a commissions list: a directory of members for clients and collectors seeking binding services, as well as a calendar of events, exhibit information, current and past workshop offerings, a vast archive of past HBC exhibition catalogues and past issues of the Gold Leaf, and much more.

Membership Directory & Commissions List The HBC publishes a biennial printed directory of members for the use of the membership. A list of members who accept commissions for work is posted to the website to assist potential clients in finding the right person for their project. To have your name and website or other contact information added to the commissions list, enter your information when joining or renewing.

Regular Presentations The HBC holds monthly meetings between September and May with presentations by working bookbinders, booksellers, paper decorators, printers, collectors and other book arts professionals. Free to members and their guests.

Special Events such as book fairs, joint meetings with other local book arts groups, trips to other bookbinding centers and our annual holiday party and summer picnic.