Books and collections
A home library may take up less space than a sofa, yet its boxes can be surprisingly heavy. Small sturdy containers, clear labels and accurate access information make the move easier to organise. This guide covers ordinary books; rare or damaged collections need individual assessment.
Separate the books you are moving from those you plan to sell or donate. Photograph the shelves and label sections, for example A1 to A4. To preserve their order, pack one shelf section at a time and copy its reference onto the box. Keep any books you will need immediately after moving in a separate, clearly marked box.
Use clean, dry, undamaged boxes with lids that close properly. Reinforce the base with packing tape and follow the container’s stated load limit. A large box filled with books is difficult to grip and may split at the bottom. There is no single suitable weight for everyone: consider stairs, handholds and the people who will carry it.
Place ordinary books of similar sizes flat in low stacks or upright as they would stand on a shelf, without bending the covers. Do not force extra volumes into narrow gaps. Fill spaces with clean paper while leaving the lid free to close without compressing the books. Keep adhesive tape off covers and avoid binding books tightly with string.
Before packing the whole collection, assess one completed box. Is the base secure, do the sides hold their shape and can the box be gripped steadily? If it is too heavy, divide the contents. Use lightweight packing material to fill the remaining space. Label the side with a number, destination room and a heavy-item warning where appropriate. Follow the same system throughout.
Preserve the order of document folders and keep an inventory separately. Do not write confidential information on external labels: use reference codes and agree who will hand the boxes over. Pack vinyl records upright in their sleeves in a suitable rigid box, with enough support to prevent movement. Protect them from heat and loads placed on top. Mention rare, damp or mould-affected books in advance; ordinary transport is not a conservation service.
In Prague, carrying time may depend on the distance from the stopping point to the entrance, steps before the lift or a narrow passage. Check access at both addresses and keep escape routes clear. Provide the lift’s dimensions and load limit. Having a lift does not necessarily mean the entire collection can travel in it at once.
Provide the number and approximate dimensions of the boxes, an estimated weight for a typical box and the heaviest one, photos, addresses, preferred date, floors and lift access. Say whether you need carrying help and whether the bookcases are moving too. Packing, dismantling shelves and additional assistance must be discussed beforehand; do not assume they are included.
Before loading, record the number of labelled boxes and note any damage to their packaging. Count them again on delivery and place them in the appropriate rooms. Unpack books onto dry, stable shelves. To arrange book transport in Prague or between cities, send Nábytkové taxi a request. The price, availability and agreed assistance are confirmed in advance.
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