Abstract: A book holder for enclosing and holding books, said book holder having a pair of cover panels, a back panel hingedly connected between said cover panels, book holding means on the cover panels, and a transverse spring element mounted in and across said cover and back panels, the spring element being normally extended in a generally straight line and in a generally common plane to support the book holder and a book held therein, in substantially flat, open position. The spring element is resiliently bendable transversely of its length to close the book holder and book held therein. A book holding strap is transversely disposed across the book holder, extending across a book held therein when the book holder and book are both in open position, said strap extending around the book holder when the latter and the book contained therein are in closed position.