--- title: Book and Small Boxes at O'Brien's Sparks Counter url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/moving-boxes-and-supplies/book-and-small-boxes/ 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/) - [Professional packing services](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/) - [Moving boxes and packing supplies at our Sparks counter](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/moving-boxes-and-supplies/) - Book and small boxes at O'Brien's Sparks counter # Book boxes and small boxes for heavy items A small box, often called a book box, holds the dense things that would break a big carton, and O'Brien's carries boxes like it at the Sparks office. The free in-home estimate comes with 10 free heavy-duty boxes, which suit books very well. 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/) The fastest way to hurt a back or split a box is to fill a large carton with books. A small box limits how much weight can go into it, so a full one is still a carry-able one. That one idea explains nearly everything about this carton. Think of it as a weight limiter that happens to be made of cardboard. ## At a glance - Keeps dense items at a liftable weight - Books, records, tools, canned goods and paperwork - Pack spines down or flat, and fill the gaps - Free heavy-duty boxes with the in-home estimate ## What small boxes are for Small cartons are for anything dense for its size. Books are the obvious case, but tools, canned goods, vinyl records, board games, desk supplies and files all belong here. The rule of thumb is simple: the heavier the contents, the smaller the box. The lightest things, such as pillows and lampshades, go in large boxes, and the heaviest go in small ones. ## How to pack a book box Seal the bottom seam with two strips of tape, one along the seam and one across the ends, so it holds when you lift. - Line the bottom with a sheet of packing paper. - Stack books flat, or stand them upright with the spines against the side of the box, and alternate directions so the load stays level. - Do not stand books with the pages facing up. Weight on the pages bends the binding. - Fill every gap with crumpled paper so the load cannot slide. - Stop when the box feels comfortable to lift, even if there is space on top. Add a light item, such as a scarf, to fill the last inch. - Tape the top, label the box with the room and the word BOOKS, and mark HEAVY on the side. ## Mix with care Keep each small box to one kind of thing. A box of kitchen cans and a box of paperbacks both weigh a lot, and mixing a fragile mug into either gives it nowhere safe to go. Fragile pieces belong in a [dish-pack box](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/moving-boxes-and-supplies/dish-pack-boxes/) or wrapped in [bubble wrap](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/moving-boxes-and-supplies/bubble-wrap/). The longer reading on books is at [how to pack books](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-books/), and records have their own page at [how to pack vinyl records](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-records/). ## How many small boxes A home with a library, a workshop or a big pantry needs more small boxes than most people expect. The [packing calculator](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/packing-calculator/) estimates counts by room and by box size, and the [how many boxes guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-many-boxes-do-i-need/) gives the reasoning. ## Boxes at the Sparks office O'Brien's carries a full line of regular and specialty boxes, plus packing wrap, padding and tape, at 2277 Glendale Ave in Sparks. The office is open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, and the number is 775-359-6683. Standard and custom supply price sheets are available on request. The estimator who visits your home brings the gift of 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep, which are a sturdy start for books and tools. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) - [eCFR, 49 CFR Part 375](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375) ### 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 - [Moving boxes and packing supplies at our Sparks counter](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/moving-boxes-and-supplies/) - [Medium and large boxes at O'Brien's Sparks counter](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/moving-boxes-and-supplies/medium-and-large-boxes/) - [Packing calculator: how many boxes you need](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/packing-calculator/) - [How to pack books](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-books/) Boxes and supplies ## More services - [### Medium and large boxes at O'Brien's Sparks counter Medium and large boxes carry the bulk of a home, from kitchenware to linens, and O'Brien's carries a full line of boxes at the Sparks office.](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/moving-boxes-and-supplies/medium-and-large-boxes/) - [### Packing paper at O'Brien's Sparks counter Packing paper is clean, unprinted sheet paper that wraps fragile pieces and fills empty space, and O'Brien's carries packing wrap at the Sparks office.](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/moving-boxes-and-supplies/packing-paper/) - [### Bubble wrap and cushioning at O'Brien's Sparks counter Bubble wrap is a sheet of trapped air pockets that absorbs bumps, and O'Brien's carries packing wrap and padding at the Sparks office.](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/moving-boxes-and-supplies/bubble-wrap/) - [### Tape and moving pads at O'Brien's Sparks counter Packing tape seals a carton and moving pads protect furniture, and O'Brien's carries tape and wrapping supplies at the Sparks office.](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/moving-boxes-and-supplies/tape-and-moving-pads/) - [### Dish-pack boxes at O'Brien's Sparks counter A dish-pack box is a thick-walled carton made for the heaviest, most breakable things in a kitchen, and O'Brien's carries boxes like it at the Sparks office.](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/moving-boxes-and-supplies/dish-pack-boxes/) - [### Wardrobe boxes at O'Brien's Sparks counter A wardrobe box is a tall carton with a bar across the top, so a closet of hanging clothes moves as it hangs.](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/moving-boxes-and-supplies/wardrobe-boxes/) Answers ## Book and small boxes at O'Brien's Sparks counter questions Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Why small boxes for books? A small box caps the weight. A big box of books can split or injure the person lifting it. ### Can I use a small box for glasses? Fragile tableware is safer in a dish-pack box with paper around each piece. ### How heavy is too heavy? If you cannot lift it comfortably with a straight back, remove some items and add them to another box. ### Do the free boxes work for books? Yes. The 10 free heavy-duty boxes with the in-home estimate are sturdy enough for books and tools. ## 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) N Nicole B. June 25, 2025 The crew worked extremely hard and treated our belongings with care. Customer service was outstanding leading up to, during, and after move. Thank you! S Sonia P. August 4, 2023 Talk about organized people. I peeked in the truck about an hour into the job and was amazed at how well organized it was and how many of my things had protective coverings. Our bed is a mechanical one and a nightmare to us, but these guys had no issue with it at all. Although I have no desire to ever move again--but if I did, I would be calling these guys for sure!!! R Robert B. June 22, 2026 The movers were very professional and took care of my stuff there were no worries and stress free amazing job. ## 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