What's an Ex Libris?

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This is an ex libris, or bookplate, which is stuck into the front of a book to show who the owner is.

The words ex libris are from nineteenth century Latin, and they mean: out of the books. On a printed bookplate the words ex libris are usually followed by the owner's name, to show whose library the book has come from (e.g. yours). When you lend books to your friends, you are more likely to get them back if you stick an ex libris into them. The words of an ex libris can carry a strong message if you want them to.

I used an inkpen to draw this picture of a bookworm. (P.S. Have you ever been called a 'bookworm'? If so, do you take it as a compliment or an insult?)

When making my ex libris, I hand typeset each individual letter and leaf to form the image and message. The individual pieces (monotype) were cast in metal. I picked them out of a big tray one by one, then arranged them in rows inside a metal frame that was like the page of a book - it matched the size of my ex libris print. The frame had metal runners representing lines, which helped me to keep the words and patterns straight. Then ink was applied to the letters and patterns, and a print made by pressing it against paper.

May this volume continue in motion,

And its pages each day be unfurl'd,

Till an ant has drunk up the ocean,

Or a tortoise has crawl'd round the world.

In the rhyme on my ex libris, the word 'volume' means book. Do you think the rhyme suits its purpose?

Design an Ex Libris

You often see words printed in the front of children's books saying: 'This book belongs to... ',
where a name can be written. It's instead of using an ex libris.

Why not design your own ex libris?

Draw your design by hand, scan it into the computer, then print out copies onto big sticker sheets.

Then you can apply the ex libris easily on to a blank page at the beginning of your books (or any blank space between images and text). Make sure you match the scale of your design to the size of the sticker sheet.

You could design your ex libris on the computer and print off copies onto big sticker sheets. Match the scale of the on-screen design to the sticker-size. Or just photocopy your design and stick the ex libris copies into books using glue.

You could make up a design for a friend too, maybe for their birthday. Use graphics and words that match their tastes... or perhaps use the exact opposite, to make your friend groan.