The best way to store books is to keep them dry, cool, and out of direct light, whether they’re headed to a shelf or storage unit.
We’ve combined preservation guidelines from the Library of Congress and National Archives with practical packing tips for everyday collections. Follow these steps and your books can hold up whether you store them for a few months or for years to come.
How to Prepare Your Books for Storage
Books can face dust, pests, and damage fast if they’re packed without prep. Here’s how to protect them:
Inspect for pests
Check each book for insect eggs or pest damage. These eggs often look like tiny specks near the spine or tucked between pages.
If you find anything, set that book aside in a sealed plastic bag to limit the spread. Skip pesticides and sprays, since they can do more harm to your books than pests.
Instead, look for what might have drawn them in, like crumbs, clutter, or dampness. Seal off any clear entry points, clear out any nearby food or trash, and keep the area tidy and dry.
Spread out the affected books in a cool, dry spot with good airflow. Any eggs left behind won’t hatch, and any lurking pests will move on. If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, a local agricultural office can help.
Get out the dust cloths
Dust every book, starting at the spine and moving toward the page edges. This keeps loose dust from settling into the gutter between pages.
If you have a small vacuum handy, use a soft brush attachment and keep the suction low, so the pages don’t lift or tear.
Use jackets or slips
Jackets absorb dust, scuffs, and other minor damage from jostling or compression during a move. If you’ve lost any jackets or need extras, you can buy clear slips, like the ones libraries use for paperbacks.
The Best Way to Store Books
Prep gets your books ready for packing, but the wrong box or wrapping can undo the work you just did, so:
Choose the right container
Cardboard boxes allow more airflow, which can lower the risk of mold. They hold up for a season or two, so they’re a better fit for shorter stays. Plan to swap out boxes if you’re storing for the long haul.
One thing to know: if a box has ever held food, it can always attract pests. Opt for new moving boxes, or grab leftovers from office supply stores or bookstores rather than supermarkets.
Plastic bins hold up better against spills, puddles, and rough handling, but they can trap in humidity. Direct sunlight can also heat up a clear bin fast.
If you’re going with cardboard, look for boxes labeled acid-free and lignin-free. This means they won’t release acids over time that could yellow or weaken your pages.
Wrap your books
Wrap each book in acid-free tissue paper or packing paper made for books. Unlike newspaper, this won’t transfer ink or chemicals onto your covers.
Bubble wrap works too, but wrap it loosely. When the fit is tight, bubble wrap can leave small dimples in a cover over time.
Skip plastic bags, since these trap moisture against the pages and keep them from getting enough air.
Stack for safety
Standing books upright with their spines facing out keeps them stable and spreads their weight evenly across the bottom edge.
If this won’t work, stack them flat with the largest on the bottom. A pyramid shape keeps lighter books from sliding off and helps distribute the weight without damage.
Avoid stacking books with their spines or edges downward. Either position adds pressure to the binding and can loosen it over time.
Storage Conditions That Won’t Work
Finding the right storage spot can matter as much as packing and prep. Here are the conditions to avoid:
- High temperatures: Keep books at 70°F or below, the Library of Congress recommends. Cooler temperatures slow down the aging of paper and covers.
- High or low humidity: High humidity levels can encourage mildew, but if there’s too little moisture in the air, pages can turn brittle and crack. The Library recommends aiming for 30% to 55% relative humidity.
- Direct or intense light: Keep books away from windows or bright bulbs. Direct or bright light can fade covers and yellow pages.
This probably means skipping an attic with big windows, an uninsulated garage, or a basement in a humid climate.
Where to Store Your Books
Where you should store your books depends on how much space you have and how long they’ll stay there. Consider:
- A spare room or closet: If your collection has outgrown your shelves, a spare room or walk-in can become your home library. But even tiny crumbs and spills can attract pests, so avoid the temptation to snack there. Books can also pick up a greasy residue if they’re too near a kitchen.
- A traditional self-storage unit: For a larger collection or long-term storage, a storage unit keeps books protected, especially if you spring for climate control. Once they’re in, organizing the unit with shelving and labeled bins makes it easier to find a specific title.
- A neighbor’s unused spot: Renting a spare room, closet, or insulated garage from someone nearby often costs less than a traditional unit. Your host isn’t factoring in a storage facility’s overhead, and they’re invested in keeping their space reasonably cool and clean.
If you go for an insulated garage or shed (or a basement in a dry climate), check every few months for signs of mold or other damage. This is also a good call if you’re renting a standard storage unit.
Do Books Need Climate Control?
A storage unit with climate control stays 55°F to 85°F. It’s far gentler on paper than a standard unit, which can get 30°F hotter than the outdoor air over summer. Climate control also tends to keep humidity levels under 50%.
Still, the temperature range does run warmer than the ideal 70°F, and climate control can add 20% or more to your monthly bill.
Find the Right Storage Space for Your Books
You’ve put in the work to keep your books in good shape. Where they finally land should reflect that care: close enough to check in and grab a few titles but priced below a splurge.
One search on Neighbor pulls up listings from brands like Public Storage and Extra Space right alongside garages, sheds, and spare rooms hosted right in your area.
Renters often save up to 50% compared with traditional storage, and any booking can come with up to $25,000 in renter property protection if your collection is worth the extra coverage.
With over 690,000 reviews giving Neighbor a 4.9-star average, you’ll have plenty of real experiences to browse before you book.
Search for storage near you, or call us to talk through your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size storage unit do you need for books?
A 5×5 storage unit fits several boxes of books, and a 5×10 unit holds a larger home library plus shelving. Choose a 5×5 for a starter collection and step up to a 5×10 if you’re storing multiple bookshelves’ worth.
Can you store books in plastic bins?
Yes, you can store books in plastic bins, as long as the bin has ventilation or isn’t sealed completely airtight. Plastic protects against spills and pests better than cardboard, but a fully sealed lid can trap humidity in and invite mold. Keep plastic bins out of direct sunlight, too, since it can heat up the contents quickly.
Should books be stored standing up or lying flat?
Most books are best stored upright with the spine facing out, similar to how they’d sit on a shelf. Oversized or heavy books are the exception, since they’re hard to stand without leaning, so lay these out flat.
How long can books stay in storage without damage?
Books can stay in storage for years without damage if you keep temperature, humidity, and light levels within a safe range. Checking on your collection every few months helps you catch early signs of moisture, pests, or fading. Books stored in bad conditions, like a hot attic or damp basement, can show this damage earlier.
