Key Takeaways
This guide covers what books need from a storage environment, how to prepare and pack a collection, how to arrange the boxes inside a unit, and how to look after older or more valuable volumes.
Introduction
What does a book need in order to come out of storage exactly as it went in? Somewhere dry, somewhere steady, and a box that carries its weight properly.
Books are heavier than many people expect and more sensitive to moisture, pressure and changes in their surroundings than most household belongings. Prepare them well, and a collection can sit for years, then come back out ready to read. A clean, dry unit at one of our Doncaster self-storage sites gives them somewhere steady to wait.
What books need for long-term storage
Three conditions keep a collection in good order:
- A clean, dry environment away from direct sunlight, helping to protect pages, covers and bindings
- Stable packing and firm support, so books retain their shape
- Protection from moisture and dust, which reduces the risk of staining, musty smells and deterioration
Everything below follows from those three. Once you have them in place, long-term book storage becomes largely a question of packing well and stacking sensibly.
How to prepare books before packing
Give each book a light dusting with a soft, dry cloth, working from the spine outwards. Remove anything tucked between the pages, such as bookmarks, paper clips, receipts and pressed flowers, as these can leave marks over time.
If you are sorting the collection while downsizing your home, decide which books to keep, donate or place in storage before you begin packing.
Make sure every book is completely dry before placing it in a box.
Make an inventory as you go
List the boxes and what goes in each one, either in a notebook or a note on your phone. Photographing the spines as you fill a box takes seconds and makes finding a single title far easier months later.
How to pack books for storage
Small, strong boxes work better than large ones, and double-walled cardboard holds its shape under the weight. Keep the heaviest hardbacks at the bottom of the box and lighter paperbacks above them.
Fill any gaps with plain packing paper so nothing shifts in transit, and pack to a weight you can lift comfortably with two hands. Avoid newspapers, as ink may transfer onto covers or pages. Acid-free tissue is a better option for older or more valuable books.
Pack books flat or upright
Hardbacks can be packed flat in small piles, with the largest and heaviest books at the bottom. Other books can stand upright as they would on a shelf, provided they are firmly supported and not leaning.
Do not pack books with the spine facing upwards or place heavy books on top of smaller volumes. Fill empty spaces with clean, plain packing paper so the books cannot shift while the box is being moved.
How to protect stored books from moisture
Avoid sealing books in plastic, as this can trap moisture even in books that are dry when packed. Check the collection periodically for musty smells, condensation or changes to the boxes.
Keep the boxes off the container floor using a clean pallet or sturdy shelving. Leave a small space between the boxes and the container walls to support airflow and make inspections easier.
Our containers are weather-resistant, and both sites are kept clean and dry, which gives well-packed boxes a sound environment to sit in.
How to arrange book boxes inside the unit
Book boxes belong near the bottom of a stack, with lighter, softer items resting above them. Label each box on the end facing outwards and number it against your inventory so you can find any title without moving the rest, particularly after periods of very wet or cold weather when you’re most likely to want to check on them.
Looking after older, signed and leather-bound books
Older, signed and leather-bound books may require more careful handling, including clean packaging, firm support and protection from moisture, heat and direct light.
Place treasured volumes in suitable acid-free archival boxes or wrap them loosely in acid-free tissue. Make sure each book is supported and cannot move around inside the box.
Comics, magazines and photograph albums prefer to lie flat, supported across their whole surface. Board-backed sleeves hold single issues square.
Choosing a unit for a book collection
A small locker room suits boxed books and documents on their own. Where books are moving alongside furniture, a 20ft or 40ft container gives room to keep the boxes at the front where they stay easy to reach.
Our team can talk through box numbers with you, and you can browse our personal storage units in Doncaster before deciding.
Conclusion
Knowing how to store books long term comes down to a few small habits: dry books, strong boxes, sensible stacking and an occasional look in. Do those and a collection holds its condition for as long as you need it to.
If you would like to see a unit before packing a single box, book a look round and request a quote. We will help you work out how much space your collection needs. Once you have selected an available unit and signed the lease agreement, you can move in on the same day.
