On the Transporting and Storing of Lots of Books...

grammar nazi asks: "After finishing school, I'll be moving far away in a month. I have amassed a large collection of math, computer, science, and fiction books and I need to put them in storage. Does anyone have any ideas for good book-storage containers? The Rubbermaid tubs have sufficient environmental protection, but books don't stack nicely or efficiently inside of them. I would like something that will protect books from the humidity of a rental storage space, allow for efficient packing/stacking, and be large enough so that I could keep different categories in different containers (i.e. math books in one, computer books in one, fiction in another)."

Comments

Here is another option

[satch89450]

First, don't try for a sealed container like the Rubbermaid tubs. You have as much chance of sealing humidity/mold/mildew in as you do keeping it out. I know, I did this and ended up with damaged books.

For moving books, nothing beats the U-Haul "book boxes" (fan-fold printer paper comes in exactly the same size box) for books. As long as your books aren't clay-coat paper or coffee-table size, they work well. Furthermore, one person can lift them without risking hernia.

To avoid weather damage, shop for your storage unit carefully. Examine the walls and floor for water damage, and reject any unit that has any stains more than 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) up the wall.

A couple of tricks that saved my books from damage even in a flood environment:

1. Don't put your boxes directly on the floor. If you can find them cheap, use a shipping pallet -- you can usually buy them cheap at a grocery store, perhaps for free. This gives you an easy 4 inches of clearance, so if water comes in it doesn't hit the boxes...and the clearance lets the water evaporate without your boxes in the way (see next tip).

2. Don't stack the boxes tightly, like bricks. Leave about an inch between the boxes on the ends and on the sides. This gives enough breathing space that any water damage will be kept to a minimum. This puts a premium to packing the boxes well, so that each end of the box can support weight without crushing.

3. Consider getting a tarp or large piece of plastic to put over the top of your boxes, so that water from any roof leaks (or upstairs neighbor disaster) is routed around your boxes. The covering sheet should be large enough to cover the boxes sufficiently, but not all the way to the floor.

4. If money is not a problem and you are really paranoid, consider building platforms so that you stack no more than three boxes high on any given shelf. Junk 2x4 and sheathing does wonders, although I've seen people build "frames" exclusively from 2x4 that work just as well. Just make sure you support the middle of the boxes as well as the edges. In one case, I built supports from 1x3s on a 2x4 square frame -- the 1x3s provided edge and middle support, and the 2x4 frame took the weight. Total cost of each shelf was about $20 because I lucked into a lumber sale.

5. When sealing your boxes, consider running packing tape along all seams. This keeps the bugs out (at least out of those boxes that don't have holes banged into them) and does wonders with keeping moisture from causing problems.

Hope this helps.