Tips for Moving Long-Distance with Books

Posted on 27/02/2024

Moving is a stressful time for anyone, whether you are just across town or to the other side of the world. If you are a bookworm and have a large collection, moving long-distance with books can be an especially daunting task. But there are some easy tips that will help make sure your beloved books survive the journey intact.

1. Have An Inventory List

Before you start packing to move, make sure to go through your library and create a list of all the titles which includes authors, publisher, ISBN number etc. This way if any of your books get damaged in transit or lost then you won't have to scramble around trying to find replacements. And it also helps ensure that you get the most value for the money when selling back your used books before your move.

2. Pack Books On Their Edge

Make sure when packing up your books for the move that they are standing upright on their edge. This reduces stress on the spines and bindings, preventing breakage and damage to the pages and book covers. Use sturdy boxes lined with soft materials like packing paper to help protect them during shipment. Keep like sized books together so that heavier ones don't crush the lighter ones during transport. Also, use bubble wrap or plastic wrap on particularly valuable or fragile items for more protection.

3. Climate Control Is Key

To protect your books against weather damage, use climate controlled storage during your move Long-distance shipments can be especially prone to temperature changes so using climate controlled care is especially important for protecting delicate books from warping, mold growth or discoloration due to moisture exposure or dust buildup from dry air.

4. Consider Professional Services For Moving Books

If you have a large collection, consider using professional moving services specifically designed to handle book relocation with care and expertise. They will use climate-controlled moving vans, specialized packing materials as well as experienced staff who know how to properly handle and transport book collections with minimal chances of damage occurring along the way. Depending on size of library this could be much cheaper than getting a truck rental and doing it yourself as most companies offer discounts based on volume of items being moved at one time.

5 . Store The Right Way After Moving

Once you arrive at your new home, make sure all your packed boxes are placed in climate-controlled areas such as basement or attic depending on temperature where they aren't subjected to too much humidity or excessive heat. This will prevent mold growth which can damage both cover art and/or pages over time if left unchecked. Additionally when unpacking it is best not to stack boxes too high as heavy volumes can cause damage over time by squashing lighter items underneath them if not monitored closely.

6. Donate Or Sell Your Books

If you feel overwhelmed by all of your books that need relocating, consider donating some ofthose titles that are no longer needed but would still be loved by others. Charities such as Goodwill take donations as do local libraries so they may be great options for passing on gently used volumes without worry about reselling them online first. Alternatively, if you feel comfortable enough with online transactions, sites like eBay, Amazon Marketplace or even Craigslist can be utilized for selling off those items that no longer fit within current living arrangement while also making back some money in return.

Moving long-distance is stressful enough without having to worry about lugging hundreds or thousands of books from one place to another as well. By following these simple tips you can ensure that your beloved library makes it safely from point A to point B with minimal hassle and maximum protection throughout its journey.