We recently packed a client’s personal library for an international move. There were a lot of books – 95 boxes in one room alone. Books are among the heaviest items to move. Yet, because they are paper, they can be delicate. You don’t want to damage the paper, covers, or book jackets. That’s why the Out of Chaos team takes extra steps to carefully pack and move books.

Manage Your Collection Before You Move

It’s best to think about how to organize your book collection in your new home before moving in. Pare down books you no longer want and consider what type of shelving to install in your new house. For tips and advice, check out our previous posts on books and decluttering. We listed places to donate or sell used books on our Resources page.

Before you pack and move books, group them by size if possible. The process will go faster if you don’t have to play Tetris trying to fit differently-sized books into oddly shaped spaces. That doesn’t mean you need to take all the books off your shelves if you have organized them in a specific order (don’t do more work than you need to). Simply review your shelves and note where the smaller and larger books are.

Finally, pack books as early as possible. You won’t necessarily need them in the days/weeks preceding your move. Additionally, you may need time to dismantle shelving before the moving truck arrives. If you’re an avid reader or need access to specific reference books, feel free to pack those last.

Gather Packing Supplies and Prepare the Boxes

Because books are heavy, you will need small but sturdy boxes and quality packing tape. We do not recommend used boxes because they tend to have weaker seams and are more likely to fall apart. You will also need material to fill any empty spaces. Packing paper is the best. The ink from newspapers and fabric stuffing (towels, clothing) can damage books. Consider using acid-free paper and bubble wrap if you have valuable or older books. Place corner guards (pre-made or homemade) on oversized or delicate books to protect the corners.

Clear a Corner

If you are packing books ahead of time, clear a corner of the room where you can place the boxes. For safety reasons, it should be away from a high-traffic area. Also, do not stack the boxes higher than chest height.

Prepare the Boxes for Packing

We recommend double-taping the bottom of the box where the flaps come together when you pack and move books. Then tape the seams of the box. If you have re-used boxes, tape all the way around the box near the top and bottom to reinforce the side seams. Once you have prepared the box, line the bottom with crushed packing paper for cushioning.

To speed things along, prepare a few boxes first, then start packing them. If you’re working as a team, have one person prepare the boxes, and another person pack them.

Packing the Boxes

Pack books upright, flat, or spine down. Always place the spines together. Then, you won’t have the rigid covers of one book jamming into the pages of another.

Fit the books in snuggly but not tightly. You don’t want the books to move within the box. But you don’t want them so tight that you crush the bindings or have the moving box split open during transport.

Pack thin, softcover books (such as children’s books) flat. Because their spines are not strong, they can bend and crack. However, you can pack them upright between hardcover books large enough to support them.

When packing flat, start with the largest books on the bottom and work upwards in columns. Layers can overlap if they are flat. You always want the books on the bottom to fully support the books in the layer above.

When packing books upright, place the spines together. If you have space for additional rows or space between the spines, fill it with crushed packing paper. Then you can add smaller books.

Wrap delicate books, books with artistic covers or book jackets in paper or bubble wrap to prevent damage before placing them in the box.

Pack older or delicate books with spines facing down to relieve stress on the binding. You may not be able to pack as many books in the box, but your valuable books will be protected.

Add a sheet of cardboard between layers of smaller books for protection and support. Add crushed packing paper for some extra cushioning too.

Sealing the Packing Boxes

Once your books are packed, fill the gap between the top of the books and the top of the box with packing paper. Close the box and tape it closed. Label your boxes “BOOKS – HEAVY” and add the room they are moving to (e.g., office, living room, etc.). Draw a large arrow pointing to the top of the box. It will be much easier to unpack your books when you know which way is up.

Storing Books During a Move

Sometimes a door-to-door move isn’t possible. Your household goods, including your books, must wait in a storage unit until your new home is ready. Ideally, climate-controlled storage is best. However, if you must use a regular storage unit, place your books away from the door and other outside walls to protect them from temperature and humidity changes.

Unpacking Your Books

Our bibliophile clients are always thrilled when they see the moving company unload their boxes of books. However, before the unpacking begins, we ensure the shelving is installed and secured to the wall. Check each shelf to confirm it is fixed in place. It’s helpful to do a quick dusting and cleaning of the shelves too.

Unpacking your book collection might not be a priority. However, don’t leave your books in the boxes too long because excess pressure while in the box can damage them.

When you are ready to unpack, unseal the boxes very carefully. If you must use a knife to open the box, choose one with a short blade to avoid damaging your books. First, slit the tape at the edges of the box, then lift the flaps and carefully cut the tape between the flaps.

Unpack one box of books at a time and place them on your shelves. They might not be exactly where you want them, but you can arrange them as you wish once they are all out of the boxes. If you have longer shelves, lay books flat in a stack (with the largest on the bottom) to create temporary book ends. Then, place books upright between the stacks. Always fill the shelving unit from the bottom to the top.

Finally, arrange the books as you wish and enjoy your personal library in your new home.

For help to pack and move books, or to manage your book collection, contact the Out of Chaos team today.