This invention is for placing over worn or damaged covers of books without removing the old covers and in order to provide a quick and inexpensive restoration. This invention is not a ''''dust cover'''' but is a ''''self-binder'''' made of sheet material that is not pliant enough to be suitable for folding around the edges of an old cover; and it is secured to the old cover by adhesive. The preferred construction has the inside surfaces of the front and back covers of the self-binder coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive mass covered by a release sheet that is peeled off before bringing the front and back cover portions into contact wtih the front and back cover of the book. A spine portion of the self-binder has zones of greater flexibility than that of the cover portions; and these zones may be spaced parallel zones that provide potential hinge lines with geometrical spacing to accommodate books of different thickness. The self-binder hinges are strong enough to permanently replace torn original cover hinges. The edges of the self-binder are trimmed to be flush with the old cover. The trimming may be after adhering to the old cover or surviving first and last pages or by cutting on lines of the release paper before adhering to the book. The invention can also be used for new books, if desired.