Books In Storage – Preparation, Packing And Storing Tips To Protect Them

Packing and storing your favorite books the right way will allow them to be stored for several years without any concern of damage. Below, you will find out how to choose a storage facility, pack the books and store the books in a way that will protect them for as long as you need to store them.

Prepare the Books for Storage

Before you can pack away the books you love, you must prepare them for packing. Start by cleaning each book thoroughly. Removing dirt and debris from the covers and the pages will help to remove the chance of discoloration occurring during storage.

After the books are clean and dry, wrap each book individually in a clean, soft cloth. You can go to your local thrift store and purchase sheets, blankets, towels or even clothing to cut up to use to cover the books cheaply.

Once the books are wrapped up, place them in acid-free storage boxes. Choose small boxes that won't become too heavy to safely move after they are packed full. The acid-free boxes are contaminant-free and will not promote deterioration of the books stored inside.

To make it easy to find what you are looking for once the books are packed away, write the titles on the box, number the box and then create a log sheet that will show you exactly what books are in each box.

Select a Storage Facility

This is probably the most important step in storing your books for several months or years safely. Choose a facility that offers climate-controlled units. This feature will prevent the exposure to changing temperatures and moisture levels.

If the books are exposed to high humidity levels, they could begin to grow mold and mildew. If they are stored somewhere with low moisture in the air, they could become brittle and crack.

If the books are stored in a unit that isn't temperature controlled, the high heat could cause the binding glue to break down and fall apart. It could also cause the covers to warp and look dreadful when you retrieve them.

Store the Books Safely

No matter how clean, dry and safe the storage unit appears, never store the boxes of books directly on the concrete floor. Instead, use shelving units or wood pallets to raise the books at least a few inches off of the ground. Storing the boxes directly on the concrete will cause the boxes to wick the moisture up out of the concrete and destroy the books stored inside.

If you follow the above tips, you can store your books confidently for quite some time with little concern of them becoming damaged while they await your retrieval. Contact a storage unit company, like Glenbrook Self Storage or another location, for more tips and help.


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