Download available at: http://www.philobiblon.com/bonefolder/vol8contents.htm

On January 13, 2012, Volume 8, the largest (and regrettably last) issue of The Bonefolder was published online. What started as an experiment in open-access online-only publishing “way back� in 2004 grew into perhaps the most widely read publication in the book arts with over a quarter million downloads for all issues combined since we began with a global readership. Listing of the The Bonefolder in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) placed us in just about every research library’s online catalog, and participation in LOCKSS will ensure long-term access to all issues (as do Syracuse University Library’s and the Internet Archive’s servers). This growth, however, also brought with it ever increasing workloads for the small and incredibly dedicated editorial staff who solicited articles, worked with authors, and much more. With the 2011 issue we switched to an annual format (something catalogers curse publishers for) in the hopes that it would allow us to streamline processes and spread the work out as it came in. Alas, that did not happen in the way we had hoped and the process became unsustainable… When we began we knew it would be a challenge, albeit a fun one inspired by other independent publications such as Fine Print and Bookways, but also membership publications such as The New Bookbinder and The Guild of Book Workers Journal. Since we started other publications in the book arts other sprung up but ours remains the only freely accessible journal in the field.

Looking back, I think we more than surpassed our initial goals, and while I have deep regrets about “closing the book� I feel it is far better to leave the field at the zenith when we all still have energy for other pursuits (that we all know will come) rather than forcing ourselves to continue. So, it is with an intense sense of pride that I thank all those who have worked to make this publication the success it became – Donia Conn who encouraged me to start things in 2004, Pamela Barrios, Chela Metzger and Don Rash who formed the original core, Karen Hanmer who soon joined the team, and finally Ann Carroll Kearney who was a very welcome addition with this issue. To Samantha Quell, a long-time student of mine, our thanks for indexing our 14 issues thereby enhancing access. All of you contributed greatly to our success. Finally though, we would have not been able to exist at all if not for our authors, some established, some new, who filled our issues with articles that covered the full spectrum of the book arts.

To all thank you!

The Bind-O-Ramas , a Bonefolder staple will continue, of course, as part of The Book Arts Web. Likewise, Bonefolder Extras will be used for occasional more formal announcements and reviews.

The Bonefolder was named for Das Falzbein, a bookbinding journal which existed under various other names from 1927 to 1966 in Germany, and provided generations of bookbinders with an important source of learning. While the trade and craft of bookbinding have changed greatly since then, it is hoped that our publication will inform and stimulate all levels of practitioners and lovers of the book as an artform and structure.

The Bonefolder is listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)and is archived as part of the New York University Library's contribution toLOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe) Humanities Project, an international cooperative project which developed open source software to provide librarians with an easy and inexpensive way to collect, store, preserve, and provide access to electronic journal content into the future.

Peter D. Verheyen

Publisher / Editor

The Bonefolder (online) ISSN 1555-6565