How to Pack Your Books for a Public Storage Unit

As the title of this post might intimate, public storage involves storing your items in a space that you'll likely have to hire to use. These storage services are often provided by storage companies that also provide moving and packing services—professional packers and movers, if you will. You'll likely be afforded your own storage unit in the company's facilities for an agreed-upon duration—it could be a few days or even years if you want—with the access of your possessions exclusive only to you. That said, storage units provide for an excellent way to store your book collection when you need a safe, secure place to store your volumes without any worries about their wellbeing and condition at the back of your mind. Whether you're in the middle of a move or just need to create some room at home and a bookcase isn't an ideal solution, storage facilities are an affordable alternative that will ensure the integrity of your books. Here then, are the steps involved in packing books for public storage to ensure they stay in mint condition for the duration of the storage, whether that be a week or 10 years.

Dust Off Your Books

Start by wiping off any dust and debris from your books using a dry soft cloth. The cloth should be completely dry as any dampness will lead to moisture being trapped in the volume, in turn leading to buildup of mildew when you put them in storage. If you don't clean your books, dust and grime can also accumulate, attracting paper mites that could cause damage and wear-and-tear of your books over time.

Keep Similar Books Together

When storing your books, store similar books together. For example, hardcover books can be stored alongside other hardcovers, and paperbacks should go together with other paperbacks. What this does is minimize the risk of damage that could be caused by mixing up the volumes such as happens when you, for instance, squeeze a softcover book in between hardcovers.

Use Dividers

Get some dividers ready before you start placing your books in the boxes. Dividers are placed in between the books to keep them from sticking together. It could be anything as simple as smooth plain paper— avoid using newspapers as dividers as the wording and images could transfer when the books stay that way for long. Be extra careful with antique books. Opt for acid-free dividers when storing antique books as they offer extra protection when putting the books away for long durations. In the case of medium- to short-term storage, however, thicker paper dividers will work just fine.

Pack by Size and Weight

Books are no different from most other items in that when packing for a move or prepping them for storage, the heavier items need to go to the bottom to avoid damaging the smaller lighter items. That said, once you have your book box ready, place the heavier and larger books at the bottom. If you have a mix of hardcovers and paperbacks, pack the former ones first as they're heavier and can take weight on top of them better. While you're at it, place books of a similar size together to maximize the space.

Pack Spine on Bottom or Sideways

When it comes to the question of which is the best position to store your books in, it's usually ideal when you lay the books inside the box with the spine resting on the bottom or facing sideways. Most people go for spine up, which is okay if you're not storing many books. However, when you have a number of them that need to go inside the same box, spine up doesn't provide good support when placing additional books on top, and could thus damage the books at the bottom. When storing with spine at the bottom, place a larger divider on top before adding the next layer of books.

Use High Quality Boxes

Books are sensitive items, and for that reason, using low-quality cardboard boxes means any damage on the boxes will easily get to your beloved collection. Store your books in high-quality cardboard boxes, ideally small- to medium-sized. Don't pack too heavy. The boxes should also be free of the acid lignin and other chemicals.

Opt for Climate-Controlled Facilities

The best storage facilities for books are state-of-the-art with climate control. The temperatures in these facilities are regulated all year round, therefore your books will not be susceptible to elements like temperature and humidity which could prove damaging. Lastly, seal the boxes properly and label them accordingly before finally placing them in storage.