An improved computer-automated control system for a book-binding machine which provides for emergency manual control of the binding machine in the event of failure of the computer-controlled portion of the control system. The improvement includes a manually operated control instrument and a plurality of switchable coupling components associated with the adjusting devices of a book-binding machine. Each of the switchable coupling components is electrically coupled to an associated adjusting device and the computer-automated portion of the control system and is capable of being electrically coupled to the control instrument. Upon coupling of the control instrument to the switchable coupling component, control of the associated adjusting device is switched from the computer-controlled portion of the control system to the control instrument.