Storing Our Friends

[grace86]

I do not know how many of you are as unfortunate as I am, but some of you might share my plight. My books have to be stored in boxes because I cannot have shelves. So my books currently reside in ugly boxes all over the place. Don't know if anyone has ever had any experience with paper eating bugs called silverfish, but I was curious if anyone knew any effective storage ideas to keep the little boogers away.

My other problem is that most of them are stored in the garage (aarrgh) where my family lacks my feeling of attachment to my books. Dirt, water, bugs, cat umm pee (can I say that?) and boxes and junk usually get stacked on top of my books...no matter how many times I write "DO NOT STACK ON TOP OF THESE" on the boxes.

I have currently invested in rubbermaid boxes and storage bags.

Any ideas??

[mono]

Obviously you have tried a few ideas, but I apologize to hear of such unfortunate occurrences with your mini-library; I hardly know how I would cope, too.
I like the idea of Rubbermaid boxes. To further preserve your books, and attempt saving what integrity they have remaining, definitely store them in a dry, moderate-temperature area, which Rubbermaid boxes may provide when sealed correctly. To further guard them from damage, do not stack them in the boxes along the books spine of opposite of the spine; whenever feasible, try stacking them horizontally.
Finally, I will name the many enemies of books, that often ultimately end books' fate: moisture, liquids, fire, food, curious pets, improper stacking and storing, multiple bookmarks (that eventually stretch the spine), so-called 'dog-earing' of pages (this often makes me cringe), and laying an open book opposite its spine (which also tears or stretches the spine).

[Shannanigan]

Oh my gosh, Grace, I have the same problem! :) I have even more fun every summer when I have to move my boxed book collection from under my dorm bed, on top the wardrobe, and behind my desk to a very gracious family member's spare room or closet. Ugh. I also have resorted to rubbermaid boxes, mostly to keep out roaches (yich!) that like to leave their little surprises all over the books (double yich!) Moisture is a huge problem of mine because of the humidity here, but the coolness of my cousin's closet will hopefully be good enough this blistering summer...

[Virgil]

I have the same problem too. I keep them in rubbermaid plastic containers, but I keep mine in the basement.

[grace86]

Thanks guys. I didn't know that so many share my problem. Especially with Shannanigan out there in the Carribbean!! Well, it seems like the verdict definitely is the rubbermaid boxes, though I was a little disappointed at how they are made these days. Not as strong and air-tight as I would hope. But then I am putting my books in bags before I store them in the boxes.

[Scheherazade]

Why not donate some of them to a library or even a school in less lucky part of the world rather than keeping them in the boxes and running the risk of ruining them? Books kept in boxes, in garages, attics, basements or other people's houses cannot be read very often surely?

[grace86]

Hi Scheherazade

I am actually lending some of them out. Found a buddy who loves to read just like me!!! But that is an idea, there were some I wanted to donate, but gosh, how to part?! I do understand, people should be reading those books darn it!! Thankyou.

[Logos]

For the aficionados :D .. if you do happen to have valuable books that you want to store, you need "archive quality" storage containers, usually made of acid-free cardboard (boxes) and polyester (sleeves or bags), that then can be put into rubbermaid containers or (ideally) baked on enamel steel cabinets. You know, in case of flood/fire/act of God..

http://www.carrmclean.ca/CategoryGroupBrowser.aspx?CategoryID=160

[grace86]

Aficionados is right Logos! Can't do that now unfortunately, but maybe one day...right now all my books are paperback anyway. They still cost a fortune by my means now, and I definitely don't want them hurt, but the paperback ones will be replaced one fine day with hardcovers...so, some time in the future I'm gonna have a book give-away!! :D :p

But thankyou, I am going to save that site for my high hopes!!

[Logos]

Well yes you might be sitting on a lucrative investment, your books might be much more valuable someday! but you have to take care of them. I'm sorry your family can't respect your property.

[Shannanigan]

Why not donate some of them to a library or even a school in less lucky part of the world rather than keeping them in the boxes and running the risk of ruining them? Books kept in boxes, in garages, attics, basements or other people's houses cannot be read very often surely?


I do not keep most of my books, or rather, have not been able to keep most of my books. When I moved here I left about 3/4 of my collection to the public library because shipping was too pricy. When I moved into my dorm I was forced to cut my collection to: The Chronicles of Narnia, the Laurell K. Hamilton Anita Blake Series, my Bible, and a couple of assorted instructional books that I still refer to often. I intend to re-read the Chronicles and the Anita Blake series...and the Bible is well, a Bible, hehe. The other books I still have are textbooks that I feel will be useful when I become a teacher...

...most of my books do wind up in the hands of others, I guess, or I keep them at the Writing Center where I work for others to use...as sad as it is for me to let them go. A huge amount go to my little sister right after I finish reading them, but now that she has moved out, I am sure that she donated all of them to the library or her high school library like I did when I moved...

I think my rubbermaid boxes only have those books mentioned above and some books by Robert Jordan I was given as gifts that I have been trying to work through in an attempt to understand their allure...

[grace86]

Shannanigan, I feel a pang in my heart for you having to let go of so many of your books. I would absolutely cry. But, then again, it is a noble thing as well. Think of all those people who get to read your books. It is almost fun to consider how many people have read one of your books donated to the library. I am starting to see that more people can share in the adventure that normally wouldn't have picked up the book just because you donated it or gave it away with a word of praise.

[Shannanigan]

Awww...thanks grace :) It does make me feel better to think about that kind of thing...and it also reminds me of all of the books I've read out of the library that others must have given up and I never would have gotten to read otherwise. Also of all the hand-me-downs teachers and older friends have given me.

On this island, there are a lot of take-some, leave-some bookshelves almost everywhere you go (laundromats, bars, internet cafes, restaurants, etc.)...I've also gotten quite a few books from those shelves, so I guess I need to be grateful for others who have parted with their stories.

Still...I always hope that I'll run into my old copies of Edgar Allen Poe's works or the Judy Blume books in case I ever have a daughter (I would SO want my daughter to read those books...)

[grace86]

Now I am seriously thinking about letting my books go to other people. You are an inspiration Shannanigan.

[Shannanigan]

~giggle~...inspiration, now there's a new description of me! :p