Books are sacred belongings that are especially vulnerable to the elements. For most of us, books are tied to memories and education. Many of us plan to pass down our books to loved ones. Because of this, it’s important to store books gently and properly. Pages can become brittle and discolored with age, and binding can deteriorate. Here are a few tips to help you keep your books in pristine condition for years to come.

1. Get the temp right.
An ideal climate for your books is a cool temperature, anywhere from 68-72 F, with 40-50% humidity. Temperature fluctuations can be extremely damaging. 

2. Keep pests away.
Pests love books. Rats and mice use paper to create nests, and roaches and silverfish use book pages as a place to lay their eggs. Make sure you check your storage unit regularly for pests, as they can quickly annihilate your entire book collection.

3. Place them in boxes.
If you’re packing your books away long-term, use new cardboard boxes or plastic storage bins. Stack your largest books on the bottom, working your way to the smallest on top. Place wood pallets below your boxes. This will protect your books from mold.

4. Don’t pack your boxes too full.
Books are delicate. Too much weight can crush them and lead to breakage inside. Treat your books like fine china, and they’ll remain in good shape.