Skip to main content

Reading room

closed

Updated on 25 Aug 2026

The reading room will be closed on Tuesday, 15 September 2026 due to an event.

Bookbinding

Often regarded as a dying art, bookbinding in fact remains an important profession to this day. Printed pages are still bound into newspapers, books and brochures by hand or machine, and hand-made covers and sleeves are still produced.

You can train to become a print media handler, specialising in bookbinding (Bindetechnologie), at the Swiss National Library (NL).

A traditional craft with a secure future

The bookbinding profession has close links to libraries. After all, they store the work of generations of bookbinders. The NL offers a unique setting in which to learn the trade. You will benefit from the know-how of our experts and daily on-the-job training in our workshop and stacks.

We will teach you the basics of bookbinding in line with a recognised syllabus, and you also have the option of attending the VET school.

Eligibility requirements:

  • Completed compulsory education
  • Manual dexterity
  • Enthusiasm for working Vwith paper, cardboard, adhesives, leather and parchment; ability to think logically, visualise concepts, learn quickly and work independently

Working hours, duration:

  • Full-time, including attendance at training college, with the option to attend the VET school in Bern
  • Four-year course

Pay:

  • 1st year: CHF 780
  • 2nd year: CHF 960
  • 3rd year: CHF 1,460
  • 4th year: CHF 1,720

(gross monthly, calculated on the basis of a 13-month year)

Apprenticeship vacancies are posted under “Current vacancies”.

Current vacancies

Swiss National Library

Barbara Schmutz
Training
Hallwylstrasse 15
3003 Bern