How to Store Books on a Bookshelf or in a Closet Without Ruining Them

Keep that copy of Pride and Prejudice in brand new condition.

But there’s more to storing books than just setting them on a shelf and forgetting about them.

Dust, humidity, sunlight, and other factors can damage books, sometimes beyond repair.

Here’s how to store books properly, both on and off the shelf.

Keep Bookshelf on an Interior Wall

The first thing to consider is the placement of your bookshelf.

Placing a shelf next to an exterior wall may cause the temperature to fluctuate too much.

Check your thermostat or get a hygrometer to get a read of the room.

You could also use a dehumidifier or humidifier, depending on that initial readout.

When it comes to cleaning, keep your books and their spines dusted.

Over time, the acidic elements in dust can damage paper.

Don’t use cleaning products with fragrances, as they can break down the fibers of the paper.

Overcrowding can compress books and break down the spines, damaging their structural integrity.

have a go at keep books of similar sizes together and ensure they’re not leaning.

If necessary, use bookends to ensure that all books stand up straight.

Keep the dust jackets on!

Orientation matters!

Avoid the common mistake of storing books with the spine up.

This can lead to the pages loosening and eventually breaking away from the binding.

First, ensure your books are clean, dusted, and ready to be stored.

Then find clean boxes that are the right size.

Books can also be stored upright with the paper edge facing upwards.

Once the boxes are full and tightly packed, close or seal them up with acid-free packing tape.

Heat can cause book bindings to melt or crack.

Place the boxes on a shelf (in case of water leaks).

Sweitzer-Lamme J.Research guides: preserving your books: storing your books.