Device for joining book block and book cover includes conveyor device, embodied to lift a book block from a lower position into an upper position, and an adhesive application station applying adhesive to the outsides of the book block. Conveyor device and the adhesive application station are arranged so adhesive is applied to the outsides of the book block as it is conveyed by the conveyor device. A removal station is arranged below the adhesive application station and the conveyor device is structured to reverse a direction of movement and to lift and lower the book block and cover in a same vertical plane between the lower position and the upper position. Adhesive application station deactivates adhesive dispensing during the downward movement of the book block with cover.