For the avid book collector, the decision to place books in storage may tug at your heart strings. Whether you’re moving or looking to free up space on your shelves, preparing your books for long-term storage requires a bit of care and caution. Follow this quick guide to make sure your books stay safe when they’re stored. 

Prepare With Care

Start by dusting each one with a soft cloth. Wrap rare or collectible books in acid-free archival paper or purchase custom-sized sleeves, which are available online and at some bookstores. Don’t wrap books in plastic wrap or newspaper. Plastic traps in moisture, and condensation ruins books. Newspaper, which is acidic, can also be damaging. In addition, newspaper ink can leave imprints on jackets and covers.

When your books are clean and wrapped, stand them upright in plastic bins or cardboard boxes or lay them flat. If you store them with the spine facing up or down, you risk the chance of damaging their hinges. If you lay them flat, put the heaviest books on the bottom. Then set bins and boxes on shelves or pallets inside your storage unit to keep them off the ground. 

Why a Climate-Controlled Unit Is Essential

Humidity is the enemy of stored books. High humidity creates moisture that affects pages. On the other hand, when the humidity is too low, it dries out books, causing pages to turn brittle. The optimal temperature for stored books is 70 degrees, with 50 percent humidity. Keeping books within this range ensures they will stay safe for the long term.

Looking for a climate-controlled storage unit for your books? Mary’s Mini Warehouse in Pell City, AL, has you covered. In addition to their climate-controlled units, they are committed to providing honest service and a clean and secure facility for your belongings. Visit them online, where their unit prices are posted. If you have questions, call them today at (205) 884-4061 to speak with a member of their friendly and personable staff.