Comments on: Book Term Poll: Hardback, Hardcover or Hardbound?

By: Brian Herzog

Brian Herzog — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 20:34:30 +0000

@Doc: true – in this case though, people only had a problem with me calling books “hardbacks.” However, other polls might be worthwhile too.

By: Doc

Doc — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:00:09 +0000

There are far more bindings than hardcover and paperback; there is also Lay-Flat (OTA), spiral wire, spiral plastic, twin-wire, plastic comb, leather binding, hardcover with dustjacket, and a few more I can’t recall.

By: Brian Herzog

Brian Herzog — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:19:56 +0000

I do see “cloth” more and more, but that just seems confusing (especially for patrons). Also, if I could, I’d never buy another spiral-bound book for the library.

After 223 votes, “hardcover” has consistently gained 60% percent of the vote, so I guess that’s the winner. I personally say “hardback,” and will probably continue to do so, and will chalk it up to my Buckeye background. Thanks everyone for voting.

By: Genevieve

Genevieve — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:17:00 +0000

Many cataloging records call them “cloth” or “cloth-bound,” so that’s become interchangeable for me as well.

By: erin

erin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:03:54 +0000

I’ve always called them “hardback” (I’m from Texas), though I’ve heard the other terms as well. But to add another wrinkle, there are also many book vendor descriptions that use “Cloth” vs “Paper.”