HOW TO: Store/Pack Your Books for a Cross-Country Move

Hey guys I need a little advice, I am going to be moving over 1000 miles away in a few months and have been thinking about moving my collection.

What is the best way to do this?? ie.. best type of container? I have seen a few plastic trunk style containers that are lined with what I think looked like a cheap pine plywood, but would this help humidity levels??


I am kinda at a loss and don't know how long they will be boxed up, we are going with one of those PODS so we can pack gradually, and unfortunately with a large and very heavy collection it is likley they will be packed earlier in the process, therefore they might sit for a while.

Also how should the books be put in a container? stacked flat??

Thanks so much in advance for any advice, I know i'm kinda new here but have been lurking like crazy, and have been soaking up info like a sponge!!

Thanks again, sorry for my crazy ranting. It happens.

As a veteran of many local moves, I'd say if you can be sure the Pod is going to be dry, and have a quick printer nearby (Kinko's, for example) see if they will give you their empty 8 1/2 x 11 paper boxes. They are perfect for books and stack well. If you're concerned about moisture, then plastic may be the way to go.

Hey inertia1215, I moved this to Collecting Tutorials so you'd get some better advice. :D

Thanks!! I'll check out a local Kinkos!

Anyone know where I could get wooden luggage style trunks fairly cheap? I'm on a pretty tight budget moving is expensive :cry:

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Originally Posted by inertia1215

Thanks!! I'll check out a local Kinkos!

Anyone know where I could get wooden luggage style trunks fairly cheap? I'm on a pretty tight budget moving is expensive :cry:

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wooden luggage style trunks

Any reason to buy wood? If you're looking to save money, and you only need them for the move itself, I would think sturdy cardboard boxes would be fine.

Glad to hear you came out of lurkdom, keep on posting. :)


p.s. I'm going to slightly re-title the thread to keep with the theme.

Thanks for the advice Patrick. I'll probably just go with a good strong cardboard.

The only reason I was considering wood, is that I live in a very humid area and thought that might help control moisture with the books? Or is that something I even have to worry about?

I wouldn't worry about short term high humidity. Moisture yes, humidity no.
I would also suggest you pack the boxes lightly. Having just helped someone move 100+ boxes of books, I witnessed others dropping, sliding, tossing boxes that were packed too heavily. Try not to have any boxes weigh more than 35 lbs.

I agree with RF completely on that last point. I have helped so many people move where they just packed boxes until they were full, without a thought as to the weight.

Thanks so much for the advice guys, I feel much more confident about my books arriving in my new home safely.:)

I am about to make a similar move--but I wanted to add a few months ago I had to put A LOT of books into storage, and I used the plastic rubbermaid style containers that have the clips on the side to ensure they are closed. You can find them on sale at Wal-Mart or target (maybe funky colors) but they are sturdy and stackable, and easy to carry when all packed up. Plus any moisture/humidity is safely away from my books.

Of course in the last few months I've ended up with a lot more books, so I'll probably be buying one or two more of those boxes, but I love them! I pack all sorts of things in them.

Any tips from folks who have moved overseas? I am thinking that plastic containers are a must plus bubble-wrap and filler(s). Any thoughts on the subject will be appreciated.

It is official that I will be packing up my books. If anyone has any ideas how to safely package my book collection in an efficient and cost effective way the advise will be greatly appreciated. I do not think I want the movers to pack these up.

You can get 12X12 boxes at Walmart for about 60 cents each. I use these to ship books Wolrdwide and I've never had a damaged book complaint.

Bubblewrap each book individually with 3 layers of bubblewrap for smaller books, 4 layers for larger books, 5-6 layers for very large books (i.e. traycased S/Ls or Lettereds) and boxed sets.
Tape them up nice and tight so the bubblewrap is as rigid as possible.
Then place books in the middle area of the box all the way to the top, leaving half an inch to an inch.
Use packing peanuts to fill the box up and pack them nice and tight as you're distributing them throughout the empty space of the box.
Tape the box up with 3 strips of tape per open side, ideally using a bone folder or similar tool to securely bond the tape to the box. (Using Heavy Duty 3M shipping tape is best)

If you do ^that you can throw the box across the room multiple times and the books will be fine.


Total cost per box? (8-12 books)

~.60 for the box
~$3-4 for bubble wrap, peanuts, tape.


And a good bone folder (optional) is about $20.

Thanks for the reply. I am going to shop for packaging this weekend.

Does anyone know who sells bubble wrap book bags, preferably in bulk (and reasonable cost)? I guess I'm not searching right...

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Originally Posted by Lurker

Does anyone know who sells bubble wrap book bags, preferably in bulk (and reasonable cost)? I guess I'm not searching right...

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http://www.uline.com/Grp_135/Bubble-Bags

http://www.ebay.com/itm/25-12x15-5-C...-/161173201961

http://www.papermart.com/self-sealin...g-bags/id=4472

Staples sells six packs of bags if someone needs just a few.

That is perfect! Thanks so much.

I may be on the move soon-ish, for the first time in over 15 years, and I have amassed quite a bit of books, movies, and CDs in that time. It won't be too far away. What would some who have had to move their libraries (even though mine's not as large as most) suggest I do? Some tips?

Solid Plastic bins, Bubble Wrap, cardboard (to house special editions), and tape. I moved 5 times (2 of these were overseas) in five years and there were very few issues. All books were bubbled wrapped, or bubble bagged, with stiff cardboard protecting between layers, and special books were bubble wrapped and then sandwiched with cardboard to protect the books corners. Any gaps in the bin were filled solid with peanuts or other packing material. I had two casualties with over 300 books. I'm sure there was some added stress to spines in the larger editions but overall this format worked well.

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Originally Posted by pablo

I may be on the move soon-ish, for the first time in over 15 years, and I have amassed quite a bit of books, movies, and CDs in that time. It won't be too far away. What would some who have had to move their libraries (even though mine's not as large as most) suggest I do? Some tips?

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