5 Helpful Packing Tips for Moving Your Book Collection

Anyone who owns books knows how much of a pain they are to move. They’re small but heavy, and packing too many together can make a box cumbersome to lift. For anybody with a book collection, especially those with libraries or shelves stuffed with hardbacks and paperbacks, here are some smart packing tips for moving your books.

Packing Tips for Moving Book Collections of Any Size

1.      Use Smaller Boxes

If you pack a large box full of books, you’ll quickly discover that it will be far too unwieldy to move with just one person. Go easy on your back and arms, and make books more portable by packing them into smaller boxes. This ensures that boxes won’t get too heavy, and that one person can lift them without trouble. Plus, smaller boxes can be stacked on a dolly or hand-truck for convenience. This is perhaps the most important packing tip for moving books – remember that lots of smaller, lighter boxes are much easier to move than large, heavy, cumbersome boxes.

2.      Pack Books Spine-Down

Packing books in boxes with the spines facing down will help protect them from damage during a move. This orientation ensures that the pages won’t separate from the binding, and the spines will not get broken if there’s a lot of jostling or bumping around in a moving truck.

3.      Pack Books Snugly

Packing books of similar size together snugly in small boxes additionally helps prevent damage. A snug fit ensures little movement, which means pages won’t get torn or crumpled and spines will not get broken.

4.      Use Plain Newsprint for Padding

Plain newsprint is relatively inexpensive and can be used to pad any empty spaces in book boxes, providing cushion for a rough ride in a truck (or careless movers!). Crumpled newsprint can be wedged on top of books before boxes are sealed, which will prevent caving-in when heavier boxes are stacked on top of each other. Fragile or expensive books can additionally be wrapped in newsprint before being tucked into boxes to provide extra protection from dirt and dust.

5.      Label Boxes Carefully

To make unpacking simpler, be sure to label your boxes based on their contents as soon as you finish packing each one. Use permanent marker and write directly on all sides of the box, or write down the contents on post-it notes and adhere to the top and sides. Labeling all sides of boxes makes it easier to see which books are where when boxes are stacked together. Be as brief or specific as you want when labeling – make a detailed list with titles, write down author names, or just list alphabetical groupings.

Even small book collections can be cumbersome and difficult to move. If done wrong, books can even get damaged in the process. However, with a few smart packing tips, moving books doesn’t have to be a hassle – even if you have a very large library. Stay organized, and lessen moving anxiety by following the above tips, and most of all, enjoy your new space.