How do I bind my thesis, dissertation or capstone research project?

How do I bind my thesis, dissertation or capstone research project?

Some LMU graduate and undergraduate students are required as a culmination to their academic program to write a thesis, dissertation or complete a research project. Often, the student wants at least one copy of the thesis bound for personal use. Sometimes the department wants a bound thesis kept in the department. In addition, the library adds doctoral dissertations, graduate theses and research projects, and some undergraduate theses to its collection. Academic programs currently using the library’s binding service are: EdD, History, Honors, Marital & Family Therapy, Scriptwriting, and Theology. Consult these departments directly regarding their specific binding requirements.

Drop off your thesis/dissertation and accompanying LMU Thesis/Dissertation Binding Application and Waiver to Meghan Moran in the Acquisitions & Serials Department, Room 102, on the ground level of the library between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you need an alternative time, please call 310/338-2970.

Please:

Provide your thesis/dissertation/research project in separate sets – each copy in a separate manila envelope or box. If you have a preference as to which copies are personal copies and which ones are for the library and the academic department, please indicate that on the manila envelope.
Provide enough copies. The library cannot make photocopies for you. For example, if you want three bound theses, you must submit three sets of the thesis for binding.
Provide high quality printing or photocopying. Review all pages to be certain that none are misprinted, smeared, or out of order.

The library will:

Send your thesis/research project/dissertation to the bindery as is. The library does not check pagination, spelling, grammar or provide any editorial assistance.
Hold your binding request until payment is received in full. Each bound thesis will cost you $26.00 – your personal copies, one for the library and one for the department. If the department is paying for its copy, the department will give you a completed requisition with authorized departmental signature. Submit that requisition form with your binding application.
Notify you that the binding is complete. Turn around time is four to eight weeks. The 3rd Thursday of the month is bindery pick-up and delivery day. The library will ship your bound thesis to you (at no charge) or you may pick it up in Room 102. The library will notify the academic department that its copy is ready for pick up.

When dropping off you thesis/dissertation/research project, be sure to include:

All of the sets to be bound
Completed LMU Thesis/Dissertation/Research Project Binding Application and Waiver
Payment for library and personal copies (personal check or receipt from the University Cashier showing proof of payment; no cash please)
Payment for department copy (requisition, personal check or receipt from the University Cashier showing proof of payment; no cash please)

Academic departments usually have extensive and unique guidelines regarding thesis format, such as margins, font sizes, paper type, and pagination placement. All departmental guidelines are acceptable to the library. However, for consistency in the library’s thesis and dissertation collections, the thesis/dissertation you bind for the library MUST have title and signature/approval pages. The title and signature/approvals may be combined into one page if desired. Assemble the library’s copy in this page order:

Blank Page (if you wish an additional fly leaf)

The binder will automatically bind one free end paper and one fly leaf -- in other words, two blank pages at the front.

Title Page

Signature/Approval Page

Acknowledgements (if applicable)

Abstract (if applicable)

Thesis text, graphs and images in order according to your departmental guidelines

If you have questions or need more information, please call Meghan Moran at 310/338-2970.

Print the LMU Thesis/Binding Application and Waiver now.