Thesis Binding

As a candidate for a master's degree, your department may require a thesis representing original research that contributes to your discipline. You must provide two copies of your thesis to be made available in the Drake Memorial Library. This includes one archival copy that will not leave the library and one circulating copy that can be checked out by the campus community or the public at large.

In addition, your department may require one or more copies of your thesis to keep on file. Therefore, it is essential that you conform to the established guidelines and construct a well-presented thesis.

You should also seek the guidance of your advisor and the other members of your thesis committee throughout the entire process. Choice of citation and bibliographical style will vary by discipline, but the format of every thesis should be consistent with the established guidelines.

Information on thesis type size, font, margins and print is listed as follows:

• Use high-quality 25 or 100 percent cotton bond paper. This paper must have a watermark, be white, unlined and the standard 8-1/2" by 11" size. Do Not Use Staples brand 25% Cotton laser paper, it is too thick for binding.
• Use a 10 or 12-point standard font such as Times New Roman, Helvetica, Geneva, Courier or Palatino
• To facilitate binding , the left margin must be 1-1/2". The remaining margins should be 1-1/4".

To view the entire document, which includes parts of the thesis and physical format, refer to Guidelines for Master's Thesis Preparation.

For more information, or specific questions, please contact Becky Cousins at (585) 395-5811.

To search for theses follow this link: Help: Find Theses.

Library Policies for Binding of Theses, etc.

The library requires two copies of a thesis, the original with the approval pages signed in original ink for the archives and a photocopy for the main collection. The library does not pay for the photocopying of the second copy. Students may submit personal copies to be bound for themselves. Departments may also require copies.

The library pays for the binding of the two library copies. Either the student or department pays for the binding of personal or departmental copies. Refer to Thesis Binding Payment Table.

The title and author of the work will appear on the spine of the thesis You can have this information also printed on the front cover for an additional charge. The cover and lettering colors for bound copies are listed as follows:

• Library copies: cover must be green with gold lettering
• Department copies: cover must be green with gold lettering
• Personal copies: cover may be any color (according to color swatches available in the Technical Services department) with gold lettering

The library will accept and archive theses only, not honors papers, undergraduate honors thesis, major projects, etc. The library will, however, bind the above stated items at the student's expense. Refer to Binding Costs Table.

A check or money order must be made out to Mutual Library Bindery, Inc. to enclose with the order. There is a 15-day waiting period for items to be returned from the bindery. Items may be picked up at Drake Memorial Library (Technical Services Department) upon return from the bindery.

Items to be bound are shipped to the Bindery every 15 days. Items arrive back at the library on approximately the 15th or 30th of each month. Please note that holidays may affect the shipping schedule.

Thesis Payment Table

Binding Costs Table

Last Updated 07/18/2013