As the fall season approaches and the weather starts to turn cooler, it’s hard to resist curling up with a new or beloved book, maybe with a steaming mug of hot pumpkin spice goodness. For the true bibliophiles out there, anytime of year is the perfect time of year to escape between the pages of a favorite title. These are the people to whom we dedicate this post.
There’s nothing like loving books and amassing an impressive collection of them… until it comes time to move. Especially given that some of us own a significant number of books. Consider this research on American book ownership, which shows 4% of Americans own between 500-1,000 books, while 3% own more than thousands.
Bear with us we share the basics of breaking down and packing your personal library. It’s easier than you might think, provided you have the right packing supplies… and a fair bit of patience.
First things first
There’s no sense in packaging a book you couldn’t bear to finish or a recommended read that just didn’t land. Relegate those titles to a box destined for your local donation or thrift store. Someone else will surely be happy to have one or two of these tomes and you’ll be glad to save yourself the extra weight of a read you just couldn’t get into.
Organization is everything
If you’ve taken the time to organize your books in a certain fashion — and we’re willing to bet you have! — then it’s worth the time to pack them in that same order so that unpacking on the other end is a no brainer.
Size matters
We beg of you. Do not attempt to move your entire library in one or two giant boxes. You’ll risk injury as surely as the bottom of the box will likely give out. Instead, opt for small boxes, sometimes called carton boxes or even, aptly so, book boxes.
Pack like a pro
We’re happy to do this for you, but if you insist on lugging your library solo, we recommend that you pack your hardcover books either flat or upright; while ensuring that paperbacks have their spines flat or facing upright. In order to avoid any bending or unintentionally dog-eared pages, make sure to stuff any empty spaces with soft materials like towels or clothing, which will stop the books from sliding in transit.
Special delivery
Naturally, if you’re the proud owner of any first or special edition books, be sure to wrap these separately either in cloth or paper to protect their covers and pages.
Lend a little support
We’re big believers in adding some extra tape to the bottom of any book box to support the weight. On that note, book boxes, even small ones, will be heavy. So take care when lifting and be sure to load them on the floor of your moving truck.
Whether you DIY your big book move or you partner with our team to help you relocate your library with ease, we wish you the best on this next chapter of your story. Contact us anytime for moving questions, quotes, or to schedule our moving expertise.