6 Mistakes to Avoid During Library Relocations
No one wants to think about things that could go wrong in a relocation. The same is true for library relocations. Sometimes, however, making a simple mistake can set your project back several days or cause unnecessary problems that are costly to fix. This is why we’re sharing a quick guide on relocation mistakes to avoid when moving a library.
1. Not labelling properly.
Maintaining order is one of the ways to have a smooth relocation, and you can achieve that with proper labelling. Be sure to write on the boxes, especially on every side so you won’t have trouble determining what’s what when unloading boxes from the moving truck. You may also want to categorise your books depending on which part of the library or which genre they belong to.
2. Overpacking in large boxes.
Books are heavy objects, and libraries are basically buildings or rooms filled with books. Many people make the mistake of packing as many books as possible in big boxes, not realising how difficult this can make the transfer. In fact, it may even lead to accidents.
The safest way to approach packing is to use medium-sized boxes that are sturdy enough to hold the weight of the books. They’re easier to carry and prevents injuries for you and your movers.
3. Not dusting the books before packing.
It’s likely your library has piles of books that haven’t been opened for years. If so, dust them before you put them in boxes. You won’t want to bring dust into the new place.
Another important reminder is to avoid using wet cloth when cleaning books. Instead, use a piece of a dry, soft cloth and use a toothbrush to clean the edges of the pages.
4. Exposing the books to water and moisture.
Books that are kept inside the box for a long time will start to build up moisture, which can promote the growth of fungus and mould. This is why it’s important to use breathable material to cover or store books and any paper documents.
If you’re packing the books weeks before the relocation, you may want to place them in mobile storage containers with climate control to preserve the condition of the books.
5. Not following a checklist.
If you want to avoid forgetting anything, keep a checklist and stick to it. Not having a planned to-do list and timeline of how to handle library relocations will likely lead to problems that will consume even more time and money. You can use the information shared in previous points to create your library relocation checklist.
6. Not hiring a moving company for bigger, more complex moves.
Depending on the size of your library, it may be better to hire professional movers to handle the relocation. Not only will the move proceed faster, but there will be less for you and your people to worry about, as well. For example, if you have a strict deadline for when to finish the relocation, it may not be in your best interest to handle everything yourself, especially if you lack experience in transfers.
Avoiding mistakes in library relocations save you time and money
There’s no such thing as “too prepared” when it comes to library relocations, regardless of how simple or small the project may seem. This is why it’s best to create a library relocation plan weeks, even months, beforehand.