Best Way to Store Books

Store books in a cool, dry place. Attics and cellars, which are not generally climate-controlled, are poor places for book storage. Store them in main living spaces of your home that are not exposed to any water or direct sunlight.

Keep books on sturdy bookshelves capable of supporting considerable weight. Make sure that the shelves are attached to the wall with the proper screws or nails (drywall screws, for example). Also, ensure that they are screwed into studs rather than just drywall.

Store books comfortably on shelves. Do not cram them into already-full spaces. Use bookends to keep your books in place and to prevent books from falling over.

Keep the books closed on shelves. Storing books open will cause creases and folds on the paper, can increase the chances of pages ripping, and is bad for the binding.

Do not stack books. Stacking books can cause undue stress on bindings, covers and pages in the books toward the bottom.

Seal your books in plastic if you live in an area prone to bugs. Many insects enjoy snacking on paper, glue and cardboard. If you see these insects, or evidence of them, consider investing in custom-fitted archival boxes in which to store your books.

Group books by genre. To facilitate the quick location of a great book that fits your mood, keep all books within certain genres together.