If you’re an avid reader then your book collection is probably one of your most prized possessions – and the last thing you want is for your beloved books to be damaged during your house move. The same goes for a mirror or an office chair. In this article, we’re looking at how to prepare your books for storage and organising your library during a move. 

A turn up for the books

For book lovers, revisiting their favourite novels is one of life’s pleasures and some people cite some of their books as prized possessions. Whether your library is made up of valuable first editions or a much loved collection of paperbacks, the last thing you want is to find that your books have been damaged during a house move so, in this section we’re taking you through preparing your books for storage and keeping your library safe during a house move. 

By the book

In most cases, books are constructed from a combination of card, paper and fabric and, as such, are extremely delicate and vulnerable to environmental factors such as temperature. For this reason, your books should not be an afterthought during your house move but should be protected properly. 

Preparing your books for storage

If, after your house move, your books are going to be stored for a while (either at home or at a facility) before being unpacked, you need to make sure that they are properly packed and stored as follows: 

What you’ll need

– Sturdy cardboard boxes (preferably double or triple walled)

– Greaseproof packing paper

– Bubble wrap

– Masking tape

– A Sharpie or marker pen

Packing your books

Prepare your boxes

WE’ve already mentioned that it’s important to use sturdy boxes for your books, as well as protecting your books, these are designed to withstand the often considerable weight of them. After assembling your boxes, place a couple of layers of masking tape over the bottom and inside seams for extra strength and then line the bottom of the box with packing paper. 

Prepare your books

Before packing, dust your books down thoroughly and then use packing paper to individually wrap any books which may be particularly valuable or vulnerable.

A closed book

Place your books into the box upright (never flat). Your books should be packed snugly but not so tightly that you risk damage occurring during transit. Fill any gaps in the box with bubble wrap to stop the books moving around during your transit. 

Seal and label

Seal your box of books and clearly mark the contents on the box (you don’t need to list each individual book – a rough description will do; i.e. “old hardbacks” or “textbooks”. 

Storing your books

When it comes to preparing your books for storage, packing is only half the story. Extreme temperatures, dust and other factors can quickly impact the condition of your books so correct storage is of paramount importance: 

– Position – Your books should always be stored upright with the spine facing outwards to avoid warping

– Temperature – Always avoid storing your books in an environment which is too hot or too cold. If you are using a storage facility, it’s a good idea to make them aware of the fact that the contents of your boxes are books

– Moisture – Always avoid storing your books in a potentially damp environment as this will warp the spines and damage the pages. For this reason, it’s not recommended that you store your books in a shed or outhouse

– Insurance – If some of your books are old or valuable, you might want to consider insuring them before storage

A storybook ending

Taking the time to relax with a good book is one of life’s little pleasures – and a good reason for making sure that your books are kept in tip top condition. As we’ve highlighted in this article, it’s all too easy for your books to become damaged or warped if they are packed or stored incorrectly and, so, by following the tips that we’ve shared, you can make sure that you can continue to enjoy your favourite books for many years to come.