Don’t let your book collection turn to dust during your next move. Follow these handy packing tips to keep books safe and damage-free.
As an avid reader and book collector living in Edmonton, I’ve had my fair share of moves over the years.
In my experience, moving and storage Edmonton companies don’t always take the best care of delicate items like books.
So through trial and error (and many damaged dust jackets later), I’ve learned how to properly pack books to avoid damage when relocating.
Use Smaller Boxes
Packing books in overstuffed, heavy boxes puts weight and pressure on them, crushing pages and breaking bindings.
For optimum safety and integrity, use small-to-medium boxes and don’t overfill them.
I pack no more than 30-40 pounds of books per box. This prevents the bottoms from bulging or blowing out during the move.
Wrap Books Individually
Before packing boxes, I always wrap each book separately in paper to guard covers and corners.
Plain newsprint or packing paper works well. Do not use newspaper, as ink rubs off easily. Wrapping books individually prevents rub damage and general wear and tear during transport.
Fill Empty Space
Once books are wrapped, I place them snugly together in the box, spine-side down. It’s vital to fill empty spaces and gaps between books to immobilize them inside the box.
I often use Styrofoam peanuts, paper, or bubble wrap to plug up potential movement spots. This stops books from sliding and banging together while in transit.
Alternative Packing Method
An alternative packing method is to lay books flat inside the box. This distributes weight evenly across the entire surface rather than focusing pressure along the spines.
Again, be sure to individually wrap books first. As always, fill gaps with packing material to limit movement.
Pad the Bottom
Before placing any wrapped books inside, I line the bottom of the box with a 1-2 inch layer of bubble wrap or packing paper.
This pads the surface that books will sit on, acting as a cushion to prevent damage from underneath.
Reinforce Box Integrity
Especially for very heavy book boxes, reinforce the bottom of the boxes with extra tape. Or use high-quality cardboard moving boxes rather than lighter grocery/storage boxes prone to collapsing.
This prevents catastrophes like the bottom from giving out when lifted. I once had the misfortune of a poorly taped box bursting open, dumping irreplaceable books onto the pavement. So I always pay special attention to box integrity when packing books.
Label Boxes Clearly
Be sure to label boxes containing books as “Books – Handle with Care” or “Books – Delicate.” Many moving companies have special handling for boxes marked fragile, but they can only do so if boxes are properly labeled.
I also recommend unpacking and inspecting book boxes first when arriving at your new destination. This allows you to assess your condition right away or file damage claims if needed.
By following these book packing tips, I’ve successfully moved my 2,000+ volume library several times now without incident.
I highly recommend investing a bit of extra time upfront to carefully pack boxes. Doing so will reward you with books that arrive as pristine as the day you packed them!
