If you are like me, you have a beloved library in your family home. These books have been there for generations and every member of your household added some more for posterity. If you are like me, you also know what pain it is to move those lovely books. Especially if your library is like mine and fills an entire room from floor to the ceiling. A little bit of bookworm boasting right there, but it’s the truth! If you are like me you need these tips on how to move your home library.

How to move your home library

I love my family library! We inherited half of it from my granddad who was a historian and an avid collector of books. This was then combined with my father’s home library, to which we kept adding over the years. The result is an impressive collection of books that take up an entire room, floor to ceiling. And then, we moved a lot…a lot! This article comes from all that moving experience, knowledge earned from making mistakes and doing it the hard way. Be smart, avoid a lot of hardship and listen up!

Plan your move ahead

Stay on top of any type of move by planning ahead, and among other things try to cut your moving expenses. This rule refers to your book collection as well. Start early and go to your library carefully. Try to sort titles into categories, such as “novel”, “history” etc. Get rid of books that you don’t want. Bookshelves are always a perfect spot for holding mail, magazines, and other trinkets. Sort through all these as well. The end result should be a perfectly organized and clean library ready to be packed with lots of love and attention.

Pick the right boxes

Never forget that books are tremendously heavy. This fact easily slips your mind while you are thinking how to move your home library. First of all, one book is not the problem, when you pack a bunch of them in a box is when you realize how heavy they are. If you hired a moving company the weight will affect your rates. So listen up, if you are planning to use:

• Used boxes, check to see if they are completely dry and odorless. You don’t want the dampness to damage the precious content or food smell to attract all sort of critters.
• New boxes, make sure you get the medium or small size and never fill up to the top! Also make sure you have good duck tape to be able to assemble the box, hence making it sturdy enough. Double seal the bottom for extra safety.
• Wooden crates, these are great for extra-heavy hardcovers and you can find used ones in liquor stores or groceries stores.

Pack like a pro

Moving your home library has never been easier. With these tips and tricks, learn how to move without problems.The relocation of your book collection has gone through all the beginning stages and now you are ready for the main thing. If your moving destination is nearby, consider using reusable bags or even suitcases to relocate your precious books. If this is not the case, you will need some boxes.

How to pack hardcovers

Hardcovers are obviously the biggest in volume and weight so they must be packed properly to avoid damage. Always pack hardcover books with their spines towards the bottom and paper edges facing up. Any other way and you risk damage. If you hardcovers are of greater value, consider wrapping them in paper and separating them with cardboard from the next book. Don’t forget to double-tape the bottom of the box or even add extra cardboard as a reinforcement.

How to pack paperbacks

With paperback editions you can be more relaxed, they can be packed in different ways. You can stack them in a box lying flat or standing upright. To avoid damage, don’t put them in a box with the paper edges facing bottom. Always start the box with heavier books and proceed to the lighter ones. To be extra cautious fill the leftover voids with paper or bubble wrap. The question of how to move your home library should pose a lesser problem from this point onward.

Sort books strategically

When packing any kind of books, do it strategically because then you will have less work unpacking. Before you even place the books in their designated boxes, think about dusting each book. Dusting is done by holding the book gently by its covers and making clapping motions with your hands, therefore getting some of the dust out of the books. Who knows when will the next opportunity arise to do so. After you dusted the books consider keeping them sorted by placing them into boxes in an organized manner (keeping the history books together and separating them from the novels). In your new home, the books will be sorted into categories just by pulling them out of boxes and placing them on shelves.

Long term book storage

If your circumstances demand that you store your books in a facility or any other kind of storage you can plan ahead to avoid any potential damage. First of all, use good quality boxes that can be closed. Don’t use boxes that used to contain food, the lingering smell can attract different animals. Make sure the storage room is cool and dry. Don’t place the boxes directly on the floor. You want them raised off the ground in case of a flood.

How to move your home library has never been easier. Follow these tips and tricks to give your books the much-deserved love and attention and thus enjoy your library even more. Don’t forget to unpack books first to avoid clutter in your new home. Just the fact that you will be able to see your books stacked lovingly on shelves in your new house will make it feel much more like home.