The Dos and Don’ts of Storing Books for Long-Term Storage

You have a few boxes of books that you just can't seem to get rid of. You have a lot of them even it’s pretty obvious that they take a lot of space. Of course, these books might be sentimental favorites from your childhood, or valuable first editions that you can't bear to part with. But what do you do when you need to free up some space in your home and don't have the room to store them? If this scenario seems familiar, consider storing them in a self storage unit!

Storing your books in a self storage unit is a great way to keep your valuable books safe and out of the way while freeing up more room in your home.

There are a few things you need to know before storing your books this way. Here are the dos and don'ts of storing books for long-term storage.

1. Do store books in a cool, dry place
Store your books in a cool, dry place to keep them from drying out and cracking. Don't leave the book on its side; store with pages facing up so that moisture can evaporate more easily if it becomes necessary for you read one page after another without stopping!

2. Don't stack books on top of each other
This is a very important rule for book stacks. When you place more books on top of each other, they can start to stick out like sore thumbs and make it hard for others around them not be able to see what's inside! Try keeping your pile low with just one or two layers instead - this will allow people passing by from either side still have enough perspective so as long no-one steps too close without realizing there are secrets buried deep within these pages

3. Do use book boxes or acid-free boxes to store your books
Another desirable way to store your books is by using acid-free boxes. This will ensure that the paper lasts longer and prevents moisture from coming in - which can cause damage or discoloration in some cases! A book box should be used for each volume of text you have so they're all easily accessible when needed; this also helps prevent bending in case a heavy item falls on top while storing them vertically (which would require replacing).

4. Don't leave books in direct sunlight
It's a good idea to keep books out of direct sunlight. The chemicals in paper can fade with too much exposure, making them less valuable as reference material or even readable!

5. Do use bubble wrap or packing peanuts to protect the covers of your books
The best way to protect your books when storing them is by using bubble wrap or packing peanuts. This will help keep the covers safe and free from any damage.

Protective packaging can be found at any Arco’s Self Storage Facility.

6. Don't forget to label each box with the contents and the year it was stored. Just like other things that go inside your storage unit, labels are a must-have when storing items. Make sure your books are organized and catalogued with a label for each box. The year it was stored should be written on the outside of each container, making finding specific volumes easy as pie!

Whether you're looking for a place to store your extra holiday decor or books that you just don't have room for, self storage is a great option. Just be sure to keep in mind the dos and don'ts of storing books so that your collection stays in good condition for years to come. Arco's Self Storage can help make the process easy - get in touch with your local facility Manager today!