Moving a (large) book collection - advice sought

[Chris Veitch]

I have a large book collection, which I suspect is something I have in common with many fellow forum members. It keeps getting larger despite my best efforts at restraint and seems set to do so for some years to come. It's currently safely housed in some fairly sturdy bookcases with glass doors.

However all this is hopefully due to change soon with a house move, but unfortunately moving a library is a bit of a daunting task. Books are bulky, heavy, relatively easily damaged and some are quite valuable (or at least they were when I bought them, but I don't want to get into a debate on resale values). Filling any reasonable sized container with hardbacks soon makes it impossible to lift.

So, does anyone have any advice - or better still, real-world experience - on how to approach such a process, especially with regard to how they are packed and what they're packed in? Obviously the first step is to get rid of all the stuff I don't really want, and I'll be donating to a local preservation society's shop quite soon, but that still leaves an awful lot.

Thanks in advance,

Chris

 

[Rob R]

After the initial clearout, sort the remainder by size.
So much easier to pack .

 

[Suddaby]

Take a look at how the booksellers at exhibitions move their books around. I think most of them use plastic containers with clip on lids. Might be an expensive option, but should keep your books safe. A good idea above from RobR - sort by size first.

Cheers,

Kevin

 

[76043]

The last time I moved my books, I went to quite a few supermarkets to get as many sturdy boxes as I could.

I also did some shopping whilst there too.
Tony

 

[Osgood]

For tough cardboard boxes in quantity, I have on a few occasions bought pre-used boxes from a large removals company not far away.
They only charge a pound per box, they're really tough and being all the same size makes life so much easier.
As you've acknowledged, you don't need big boxes for books - weigh a typical book and you can work out how many per box is plenty to lift.

 

[richard carr]

I moved mine about 25 years ago, I just used lots of cardboard boxes the size that takes a case of wine, you can just about carry them when they are full. Anything bigger just ends up too heavy. As Osgood says, the boxes from a removal company are really good and relatively cheap.

Richard

 

[garratt396]

I photographed the book cases so I knew where everything went. Remembering where removable shelves went is a good start.
Don't use large boxes - too heavy and label them.
Mind you I still finished up with several boxes of ones I didn't keep.
David

 

[Andrewnummelin]

Try asking a local bookshop as, from experience, they may well be delighted to avoid having to dispose of loads of cardboard (and the boxes will be of appropriate size and strength).

 

[Tim Humphreys ex Mudhen]

We moved just over a year ago and faced a similar situation. We found that our removal company were happy to provided as many cardboard boxes as we required with no obligation to return them. All were new and provided flat ready to fold to shape and tape together
As advised don't overload them as moving many overweight boxes is hard work. We took the easy route and got the removal men to pack the boxes and label them with where their content had come from. They then left the boxes where ever we wanted ready to be unpacked..

Good luck

Tim

 

[Mike W]

I last moved ten years ago and bought cardboard boxes from ebay, f/b marketplace etc. As you say, you want small boxes because they are heavy and different sizes help too, but I didn't use any special packing, just careful handling. We did the move ourselves with a hired van and there was no damage at all. I guess we had 125ft of book shelving.
Mike

 

[Osgood]

Last time we moved I hired a 7.5t van for two loads, and did another four loads with my 16t tipper
Pretty sure the railway books went in the van……

 

[Matt.S.]

When I moved, the movers/packers had "book boxes" which were slightly more rugged and smaller so that you couldn't overload the boxes.

I did over dispose of stuff and have since wished one or two books were still within reach (I've definitely over compensated since thanks to Simon's output!)

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

So, does anyone have any advice - or better still, real-world experience - on how to approach such a process, especially with regard to how they are packed and what they're packed in? Obviously the first step is to get rid of all the stuff I don't really want, and I'll be donating to a local preservation society's shop quite soon, but that still leaves an awful lot.

When I ruthlessly thinned my railway book collection I packed them in the strong builders black rubble bags from B&Q. I think I ended uo with about 15 bags in the end. They have the advantage of handles, being relatively square and small so you cannot overload them. You could also use the smaller square/rectangular reusable supermarket shopping bags. Beware books are heavy.

With the Vintage Carriage Trust (VCT) at Ingrow in the next valley to me I donated my books to them so they could sell them in their secondhand book/magazine shop and benefit from the sale proceeds.

 

[Terry]

When moving house I always contrive a situation whereby whilst I am walking out to the van carrying say a small table (you know - the smallest in a nest of three tables), my wife is on the way back from the van and the only items left are my books! At this point I am overcome by an urgent need to visit the toilet, which strangely lasts only as long as it takes my wife to struggle to the van with the last box of books! Recommended. Works every time!

Terry

 

[Terry]

Here is a serious suggestion (by my wife). Pack your books into a suitcase which has wheels. (Most modern cases). Or preferably more than one suitcase. Simply wheel them out to the removal van, or maybe put them in your car to prevent damage during the house move. Such suitcases can be bought quite cheaply these days, especially from those pop-up shops which specialise in this type of merchandise. And here is my suggestion: if you have to lift the suitcase up and into your car boot, get the missus to do it!

Terry

 

[Rob R]

Charity shops for cheap suitcases.

 

[Chris Veitch]

Many thanks to all for your replies and advice - at least it seems that I'm not alone in having this problem! It's given me a few ideas and useful avenues to explore.

 

[AndyH]

I used Banker’s boxes as they are small and manageable weight to carry when full. The added advantage over a standard box, is they have handles, stack, and you can flat pack them to reduce space transporting them back. No affiliation but bought these.
I moved over 1,000 of my late father’s books with them easily and repeatedly used them in the van for the 380mile journey with no damage.
Hope that helps

 

[Chris Veitch]

I used Banker’s boxes as they are small and manageable weight to carry when full. The added advantage over a standard box, is they have handles, stack, and you can flat pack them to reduce space transporting them back. No affiliation but bought these.
I moved over 1,000 of my late father’s books with them easily and repeatedly used them in the van for the 380mile journey with no damage.
Hope that helps

Thanks, seems like a good option as they’re designed to carry paper so must take a reasonably heavy load.

 

[paulc]

Thanks, seems like a good option as they’re designed to carry paper so must take a reasonably heavy load.

Books , paper , same thing .