Books are some of the easiest things to forget about when you're planning a move. They sit neatly on a shelf, they don't look particularly complicated to pack, and it seems reasonable to fill a couple of large boxes and call it a day. Unfortunately, that's usually when the trouble starts.
Books get heavy quickly, and an overloaded box can be difficult to lift, carry and stack safely. At Skinny Wimp Moving, we want your belongings to arrive in the same condition they left, whether you're moving across Eugene, relocating within Medford or heading somewhere farther away.
If you're packing your own books, a little preparation makes a substantial difference. Here's how to get them off the shelf, into the right boxes and ready for moving day.
Start by Deciding Which Books You're Moving
Before buying boxes, take everything off your shelves and decide what you're actually taking with you. Moving is a good opportunity to look through the books you've collected over the years, especially those that haven't been opened since your last move.
Separate your collection into books you're keeping, books you're ready to donate and anything you might want to sell. If you're downsizing in Eugene or Medford, think about how much shelving you'll have in the new place and whether your existing collection will realistically fit.
Don't rush through the books that have sentimental value, though. Family cookbooks, signed editions, photo albums and collections you've built over many years deserve a little extra consideration. Once you've decided what stays, packing becomes much easier because you're only handling the books you genuinely want to move.
Use Small Boxes Instead of Large Ones
The biggest mistake people make when packing books is choosing boxes that are too large. A box full of clothing might be easy to carry, but fill that same box with hardcover books and you've created something considerably heavier.
Small, sturdy moving boxes are a better choice because they help keep the weight manageable. Reinforce the bottom with good-quality packing tape, check that the cardboard is in decent condition and avoid using boxes that have been weakened by moisture or previous use.
As a practical guideline, aim to keep each box under approximately 40 pounds, and go lighter if you're carrying it yourself. For particularly fragile or valuable books, smaller and lighter boxes are preferable because they reduce the amount of weight pressing against the collection.
If you're unsure which boxes to use, Skinny Wimp offers professional packing services in Eugene and packing services in Medford. You can have the team handle just your books and other difficult items or arrange help with packing more of the house.
Sort Your Books by Size Before Packing
It's tempting to empty one shelf directly into a box, but books of very different sizes don't always pack well together. Large hardcovers can press against smaller paperbacks, while oversized books may bend if they're forced into a space that doesn't fit.
Start by grouping books of similar sizes and identifying anything that needs special protection. Ordinary paperbacks, heavy reference books, children's books and valuable editions may all require slightly different packing arrangements.
Keeping similar books together also makes the boxes easier to organize when you arrive. Instead of opening six different cartons to find your cookbooks or office references, you'll know where everything belongs.
How Should Books Be Positioned in a Moving Box?
The position of your books matters because their bindings, covers and pages respond differently to pressure. For most ordinary books, laying them flat in appropriately sized stacks or packing them upright as they would stand on a bookshelf can work well, provided they're properly supported.
Avoid forcing books into tight spaces, bending their covers or leaving them leaning diagonally against one another. Large, heavy hardcovers are generally easier to support when they're laid flat, while smaller books can be grouped together to prevent movement.
Never force a book into a box simply because there's enough space left to squeeze it in. If the arrangement looks awkward or puts pressure on the binding, start another box rather than risking damage.
Packing Hardcovers
Hardcover books often have rigid covers and heavier pages, which makes them particularly important to pack carefully. Group similar sizes together and lay larger volumes flat so their weight is supported evenly rather than concentrated along a corner.
If a hardcover has a delicate dust jacket, consider wrapping it separately with clean packing paper before placing it in the box. This helps prevent the jacket from catching on neighbouring books or becoming creased during handling.
Packing Paperbacks
Paperbacks are lighter individually, but they can bend when they're squeezed between heavy books or packed without enough support. Group similarly sized paperbacks together and avoid placing heavy hardcovers directly on top of them.
You can use packing paper to fill the remaining space around each group, preventing the books from sliding when the box is carried. The goal is a secure arrangement without compressing or bending the books themselves.
How to Pack Rare or Valuable Books
Rare books, signed editions and family collections deserve more attention than everyday paperbacks. If a book has financial or sentimental value, use clean, appropriate protective materials and avoid allowing ordinary packing tape to touch its cover or pages.
Delicate books should be wrapped individually and packed in a way that supports their full size. Valuable oversized volumes may need their own boxes, while especially fragile collections may benefit from specialist packing advice before transportation.
If you're working with antique or particularly delicate books, Harvard Library's guidelines for packing books provide additional preservation guidance. For unusually valuable collections, it's also worth discussing the items and their handling requirements with your moving company before moving day.
Fill Empty Spaces Without Making the Box Too Heavy
A box doesn't need to be completely filled with books to be properly packed. In fact, stopping before it becomes too heavy and using lightweight packing material to fill the remaining space is often the better approach.
Crumpled packing paper can help prevent books from shifting without adding much weight. Avoid leaving large gaps, particularly around the sides, because books can move around inside the box when it's lifted or transported.
Before sealing each box, gently check whether the contents are secure and whether the box still feels manageable. If it's difficult to lift, remove a few books and redistribute the weight rather than hoping the cardboard will hold.
Label Every Box Before Moving Day
Labelling becomes particularly important if you have several boxes of books. Mark each carton with its contents, the room where it belongs and a note indicating that it contains books, so nobody mistakes it for a lightweight box.
If you're moving into a new home in Eugene or Medford, think about where the bookshelves will actually be located. Sending everything directly to the correct room saves you from having to carry heavy boxes around the house again after the movers leave.
Keep valuable or fragile collections clearly identified and let the moving crew know about anything that requires particular attention. Good communication before loading is much easier than trying to explain special handling requirements once everything is already inside the truck.
Packing Books for a Long-Distance Move
Books that are travelling a considerable distance need to be packed with the same care as books moving across town, but the consequences of loose packing become more significant. A box may be handled several times during a longer relocation, so sturdy cartons, appropriate cushioning and secure closures are especially important.
Avoid leaving books loose inside partially filled cartons, and don't pack delicate collections alongside objects that could damage their covers. If you're moving from Eugene or Medford to another state, make sure your book boxes are properly labelled and included in the inventory discussed with your moving company.
Skinny Wimp provides local and long-distance moving services through both locations. If you're moving a substantial collection, mention it when you contact the team so packing and transportation can be considered together.
What if Your Books Need to Go Into Storage?
Sometimes your new home isn't ready, or you're downsizing and haven't decided what to do with your collection. In those situations, storage can give you additional time without forcing you to unpack everything immediately.
Books are vulnerable to moisture and extreme storage conditions, so the environment matters. Make sure they're clean and dry before packing, use suitable boxes and avoid placing excessive weight on delicate volumes.
Skinny Wimp offers climate-controlled storage in Eugene and Medford, with stationary storage spaces available for short-term and longer-term use. If your move involves a gap between addresses, you can discuss moving and storage arrangements together rather than organizing everything separately.
Should You Pack Your Books Yourself or Hire Professional Packers?
Packing your own books is perfectly reasonable if you have the time, appropriate materials and a manageable collection. However, several bookcases filled with heavy hardcovers can turn a relatively simple packing job into a much bigger task than expected.
Professional packing can be useful when you're short on time, have a particularly large collection or need help preparing other fragile belongings at the same time. You don't necessarily have to hire someone to pack your entire home just because you want assistance with one difficult area.
Skinny Wimp offers flexible packing assistance through its Eugene and Medford locations. Whether you need help with a few shelves or an entire household, you can arrange a service that reflects the amount of work involved.
Get Your Books Ready Before Moving Day
Packing books properly isn't especially complicated, but it does require more thought than filling the nearest available box. Small cartons, manageable weight, appropriate positioning and secure packing materials make the process safer and help protect your collection.
If you're preparing for a move in Eugene or Medford, work through your books before the final days of packing so you're not left carrying oversized cartons when everything else needs to get done. And if you'd rather have somebody else handle the heavy lifting, get in touch with Skinny Wimp Moving to discuss your move and packing requirements.