How to pack books for moving: 7 pro tips for relocating your bookshelf wealth

Key points

• Pack your book collection in small- to medium-size boxes to avoid heavy lifting.

• Individually wrap books in acid-free packing paper to avoid damaging vulnerable covers.

• Store books in a dry and mild setting that doesn’t have the threat of flooding.

Books can metaphorically transport you to faraway destinations, but when you’re actually relocating to a new hub, you need to learn how to pack them up properly. 

Bibliophiles know that novels are more than entertainment. Books can also liven up your spaces — whether a home or office — and inject warmth into your surroundings. If you need any more convincing, just look at one of the latest TikTok crazes, “bookshelf wealth,” for confirmation.

Whether you’re looking to spruce up your bookcases with the latest look or set up your library in a new location, there’s plenty to consider when moving books. From avoiding pesky insects to wrapping delicate paperbacks, you must implement proper techniques when planning to move any collection of tomes, big or small.

Below, learn expert-vetted packing tips for moving your books (and photo albums) with ease and efficiency — not back pain.

What is the best way to pack books when moving?

While it might be tempting to stuff as many books as possible into oversized moving boxes and call it a day, this technique could damage the books — and result in a pulled muscle or two. Follow our tips from professional movers to simplify this packing chore.

1. Find the right containers

To get started, be sure you have the appropriate packing supplies on hand. “Books are very fragile, but they can also be deceptively heavy, so you need to strike a balance between making sure the packaging protects them but doesn’t weigh too much,” said Joe Jameson, shipping manager for Peter Harrington, a rare bookseller in London, England, who ships to collectors around the globe. 

“We usually use cardboard boxes, as they are lightweight and environmentally friendly, and for the most part, reusable.”

When moving expensive books, as the booksellers at Peter Harrington often do, Jameson suggested using either specialty fine art shippers or a Peli case (a souped-up briefcase) for extra protection and cushioning. “Last year, we offered a copy of Shakespeare’s First Folio, and it was largely transported using a Peli case,” he said.

2. Choose smaller boxes

When selecting packing boxes that strike the balance between weight and durability, consider the packing box size. Naturally, if you’re a fan of oversized hardcover books, you’ll need larger boxes to house them. However, too many large boxes loaded with heavy books can lead to cumbersome moving.

“First off, opt for smaller to medium-sized boxes to prevent them from getting too heavy,” advised Ross Sapir, CEO and founder of Roadway Moving Company based in New York City.

Jameson concurred. “Never go for too big a box,” he said. “Apart from getting extremely heavy quite quickly, it’s better for books to be packed in regular-sized boxes.

“We usually use standard office packing boxes, which are 18-by-12-by-10-inches,” he said. “For larger items, we usually created custom-made packing boxes or crates.”

In addition to snugly holding the books in place, a higher quantity of small- or medium-size boxes can also avert another risk: dropped boxes. Impact might bend pages or negatively impact the books’ spines, Jameson explained.

When packing, layer the bottom of the box with padding, such as packing paper or bubble wrap, for added protection, Sapir suggested.

3. Categorize by genre

Whether you’re into romance or can’t wait to get your hands on the latest autobiography, categorizing your books by genre can foster a seamless unpacking process.

“By grouping books together based on genre, you can pack them more efficiently and securely,” Sapir advised. “It also simplifies the labeling process, making it easier to unpack and arrange your collection in your new home.”

4. Color-code labels

For book lovers who own a large collection, Trent Brock, moving and storage solutions expert at PODS, a national moving and storage company, recommended color-coding various genres. For instance, use a red marker for your fiction book collection.

Both Sapir and Jameson suggested including an inventory list for each box for easy searching. Further, Sapir recommended using the side of the box to note the room where the books will go in the new space.

5. Give older books extra care 

As with any antique, you should apply special care to vintage tomes, which can be more delicate than new releases. As such, Jameson and Sapir suggested individually wrapping vintage or vulnerable books with bubble wrap or special packing paper. 

“We always wrap each book up in acid-free paper,” Jameson explained.  “Non-acid-free paper can react and disturb this natural material, like leather. Particularly with older books, the less you do to disturb the book, the better.”

6. Seal properly 

Regardless of your books’ age, seal all packing boxes securely with packing tape — but pay special attention to containers holding your vintage volumes. “Boxes should be sealed well to avoid the entry of insects who may nibble away at their contents,” Jameson continued. “Older books often contain animal glue and other organic material, which attract insects.”

7. Pay attention to climate control

Whether you plan to hire a cross-country mover or relocate down the block, maintaining a proper climate while your books are in a storage unit or the moving truck is key to preventing any warping, mildew or other unwanted damage.

“Keep boxes out of sunlight and protect them from extremes of temperature and humidity,” Jameson said. “Storing books in between moves in very damp or very dry environments should be avoided. Most books are happiest at around 60 to 66 [degrees Fahrenheit]. Relative humidity should also be as stable as possible, ideally at 50 percent.”

The quickest way to ruin books is to leave them out in the elements. “Extreme temperature or humidity changes can warp or mold books,” Sapir added.

What is the best way to move a lot of books?

To move a lot of books — whether hardcover or paperback — organization and strategy is key. Deploying an inventory system — such as color-coding genres, labeling boxes with the room in which they belong or using an itemized list for each box — can provide easy and quick access.

Instead of loading up on huge heavy-duty boxes, experts recommend using small- to medium-size ones to avoid overpacking containers that can become burdensome. You’ll also want to pack hardcovers with paperbacks to make the packing box as balanced as possible.

Padding boxes with bubble wrap or other soft packing materials, such as starch-based packing chips, can further cushion the boxes and reduce unnecessary jostling from empty space, which might damage books in transit.

For vintage books, using acid-free packing paper to wrap them can prevent chemical reactions between the packing paper and the book covers.

The takeaway: If you have a lot of books to move, you should end up with plenty of cleverly selected smaller boxes.

Should you pack books spine up or spine down?

It depends. “[Antique or vintage] books are usually packed flat, spine-to-spine with the fore edges toward the side of the box, as the spine is the most fragile part of a book and most prone to being damaged,” Jameson said.

Meanwhile, for books that might be sturdier or more durable, packing them spine down is the way to go. “This helps protect one of the most vulnerable parts of a book — the spine — from damage,” Brock said. “It also helps prevent warping, bending, and creates a more stable stack, reducing the risk of books toppling over and getting damaged in transit.”

What’s next?

From mildew on pages to distorted leather covers and binding, moisture can wreak havoc on a book. Once your library is packed up, remember to store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity, Sapir noted. Look into climate-controlled storage facilities if you need long-term preservation.

Do you need to wait to unpack your books? Be cautious of where you stash them, especially if you’re eyeing the basement for your rare book collection. Placing a box of books on the floor is risky, as flooding and potential pests can damage your valuable books.

When it’s time to unpack your library, be sure to do so carefully, as items can shift during transit. Don’t stress about donning special handling gloves, Jameson said, as this might inadvertently cause creasing or tears because the gloves can dull tactile sensation.

And, though you can leave gloves in storage, be mindful if you’ve just refreshed your nails with a manicure: Long fingernails can scratch leather bindings, he said.