Glue and substances used for surface treatment of paper, together with subsidiary restoration paper, are the materials on the correct selection on which depends the longevity of restored books and documents. Food glues and adhesives of plant and animal origin which are still used in the restoration practice often form a film which is not elastic and sometimes even brittle, and are a nutrient medium for microorganisms and destructive insects. The replacement of food products with synthetic products which do not have the above mentioned drawbacks is an urgent problem. This article discusses the possibility of using water soluble methylcellulose preparations instead of food glue in restoring documents for surface sizing of paper documents in order to strengthen them and preserve the text.