--- title: How to Pack Books for a Move: Small Boxes, Heavy Loads url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-books/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - How to pack books # How to pack books for a move Books go in small boxes, packed tight, because a book carton reaches its weight limit long before it is full. Keep every box light enough to lift with two hands and the bottom seam will hold. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) Paper is dense. A single medium carton filled with hardcovers can become one of the heaviest boxes on the truck, and the bottom of a standard carton was never meant for it. The fix is simple: choose the right size, stack with care and keep the weight honest. ## Pick the right box Use a small carton for hardcovers and a small or medium one for paperbacks. The 10 free heavy-duty boxes that come with an O'Brien's in-home estimate are built for dense loads like these, and they are yours to keep. Reinforce the bottom seam with a strip of packing tape down the center, then a strip along each edge. ## Stack to protect the spines Lay hardcovers flat, alternating the spine direction so the stack stays level. Large art books and atlases go flat on the bottom, and smaller paperbacks stand on their spines along the top. Pages down is the one position to avoid. The weight of the cover can crease the page edges, and the spine takes the shock when the box is set down hard. - Spine down is gentler than spine up. - Fill small gaps with a paperback or a sheet of crumpled paper. - Tape the top shut so the flaps do not sag under the weight. ## Keep the weight under control Mix books with lighter items to keep the box manageable. A layer of books on the bottom with a layer of towels above it gives you a carton that is easy to carry. Fill the carton only to the rim. The box has to close flat and stack on the next one, and an overfull box splits at the corners. ## Valuable and fragile books First editions, family Bibles and old photo albums need their own handling. Wrap each in clean white paper and lay it flat in a rigid box, away from damp walls. The Library of Congress explains the basics of storing books, including why heat and moisture are the main threats. If a collection is valuable enough to list on your inventory, mention it at the in-home estimate; [the moving inventory and high-value articles](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-inventory/) explains how it is recorded. ## Before you pack a single book Sort the collection first. Paperbacks you will not read again can go to a library sale, which means fewer boxes on moving day. For the rest of the room, see [how to pack a home office](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-home-office/). ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [Library of Congress, Preservation: Care, Handling and Storage](https://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [How to pack a home office and electronics](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-home-office/) - [The moving inventory and high-value items form](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-inventory/) - [Moving boxes and packing supplies at our Sparks counter](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/moving-boxes-and-supplies/) Moving guides ## Read next - [How to pack artwork](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-artwork/) - [How to pack jewelry](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-jewelry/) - [How to pack pots and pans](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-pots-and-pans/) - [How to pack and move a mattress](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-mattress/) - [How to pack a kitchen](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-kitchen/) - [How to pack a garage and tools](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-garage/) - [How to pack a bathroom](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-bathroom/) - [How to pack a home office and electronics](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-home-office/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### How many books fit in a small box? It depends on the size of the books, so judge by weight instead. If you cannot lift the box comfortably with both hands, take a few books out. ### Can I use a rolling suitcase for books? A rolling suitcase is a reasonable way to carry a stack of paperbacks a short distance, as long as the books are packed tight and the case is a manageable weight. ### How do I move a bookcase? Empty it, remove loose shelves, and wrap the case in furniture pads. A heavy case with fixed shelves takes two people, and an estimator can note it in the written estimate. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) C Charles C. May 31, 2025 Great company, I'd highly recommend for any move!!! ### Owner's reply Charles, It was a pleasure working with you on your moves. We hope your trip is amazing and if you ever come back our way, we will be happy to help. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to complete this review on our behalf. N Nadine K. May 15, 2025 The guys were very friendly and hard working. Would definitely use them again! ### Owner's reply Nadine, We are pleased you chose us for your move, it was a pleasure working with you! We are extremely happy the move was a success. G Greg S. January 22, 2025 3 O'Brien movers came down from Reno to South Lake Tahoe to assist our company moving a lot of big furniture out of a large warehouse. They showed up on-time, were friendly, and were professional and got the job done quickly and diligently. Will definitely use them again. ### Owner's reply Thanks for the great review Greg! We really appreciate you taking the time to do that for us. We look forward to working with you again! ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070