The rebuilding work on Merton College Library, Oxford, in 1502-03, provided the opportunity to repair the bound manuscripts. From contemporary accounts and other documents, the authors have extracted detailed information on materials used, cost of labor and materials, and some interesting details of library practice such as dyeing the edges of parchment leaves with saffron. The use of the word carfe for the thin pieces of wood forming the book covers is reported for the first time, according to the authors.