Storing Books in a Storage Unit

Storing Books in a Storage Unit

August 6, 2015

Book lovers around the country rejoice on August 9 – National Book Lovers Day! While book lovers practice their hobby all year long, this day reminds them to kick back with their favorite text and settle in for a relaxing day of reading. If you’ve dreamed of creating your own personal library, but haven’t had […]

Book storage

Book lovers around the country rejoice on August 9 – National Book Lovers Day! While book lovers practice their hobby all year long, this day reminds them to kick back with their favorite text and settle in for a relaxing day of reading. If you’ve dreamed of creating your own personal library, but haven’t had space, use this day to consider your options. Are you using the space in your home efficiently? Is clutter keeping you from lining the walls with bookshelves? Total Storage Solutions can help you make your dream a reality. Whether you’re making more space in your home, or transforming an off-site storage unit into your book sanctuary, self storage can help in a variety of ways.

Turning a Storage Unit into a Library

Self storage units are available in a range of sizes to fit any book collection, and security features protect your books from more than the average pests. If your books are taking over your home, create an off-site sanctuary that will keep them in great condition for years to come.

Choosing a Unit. When moving your valuable book collection into a storage unit, it’s important to take the necessary precautions. Book materials are sensitive to humidity and fluctuations in temperatures, so choosing a climate controlled unit for book storage is essential. Moisture on the paper can lead to mold, while extremely low humidity can make the paper brittle. Climate controlled storage units maintain a constant temperature and allow for humidity control.

Prepare Your Books for Storage. Gently wipe off the cover of every book. You can use different techniques depending on the book material. If the book has a plastic finish, wipe it off with a damp cloth; for fabric covers, you can use a dry cloth. Make sure to remove any dust or dirt, as these can create ingrained stains and other damages when stored. Let any moisture dry completely before packing to prevent mold from growing. 

Boxing Your Books for Storage. While lining the walls of your unit with bookshelves may be the ideal, in reality, books shouldn’t be stored upright. But shelves may still have a use in your unit. Sort your books based on genre, author or a category of your choosing, and then pack your books in sturdy cardboard or plastic boxes. Remember not to overfill your boxes, since they can become heavy. Add a label to the outside of the box so that you can easily find books when you need them. Shelving can also help you keep your collection organized, and prevent boxes from being crushed or stacks falling over. It is also essential to keep the boxes elevated off the ground to prevent any moisture being soaked up from the concrete.

Making Your Extra Room into a Library

If you prefer to have your book collection inside your home, then take the time to declutter one of your rooms and turn it into a sanctuary. Remove furniture that isn’t being used and boxes of holiday decorations that are gathering dust eleven months out of the year. Moving rarely used items to a self storage unit can help you create a functional room in your home. Install wall shelving or some free standing book shelves, and create a comfy corner for reading. Paint the walls in relaxing tones and add decorations that suit your personality. Will your room have the character of a study, or do you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere? Whatever your library dreams, you can make them a reality with the help of Total Storage Solutions. Find a storage facility near you today!

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