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Thanks for all replies, most of which suggested getting rid of, culling the books.
That has already been done.
My spouse and I are mid-70s, retired academics and these books are specialized parts of our life work.
Not sure that mailing this many books is appropriate given the intense time and labor involved.
Sounds like the "pod" approach, cost by volume not weight is best, and we will have them professionally packed and loaded into the pod to maximize use of space.
Has anyone shipped this many books via pods?
IMHO, unless you will need the books to continue private research or need them to continue teaching or need them to tutor/mentor students/professionals or need them to continue to be active in academic circles please consider continuing to downsize the books before your move.
The one exception are books that you/your spouse authored and take great pride in rereading/reminiscing/showing off/saving for your children & grandchildren. Please keep those books.
Thanks for all replies, most of which suggested getting rid of, culling the books.
That has already been done.
My spouse and I are mid-70s, retired academics and these books are specialized parts of our life work.
Not sure that mailing this many books is appropriate given the intense time and labor involved.
Sounds like the "pod" approach, cost by volume not weight is best, and we will have them professionally packed and loaded into the pod to maximize use of space.
Has anyone shipped this many books via pods?
This is what I did and I love my library and would not give it up.
A bought two, six shelf industrial shelving units that are on wheels.
I packed probably 1500 of the books on both (they are industrial and hold thousands of pounds of weight) then wrapped both shelves in saran/moving wrap and the movers were able to just roll them out of the house, into the moving truck, lock down the wheels, and roll them into the house.
I had the shelves wrapped so well that not a single book moved.
I was going to give the shelves to my husband for his tools but like the stainless steel look so well in my office that I've kept them.
BTW, the shelving units took up a fraction of the space that boxes would have.
One lesson I learned the hard way, don't let them be stored for any length of time is a hot container. I significantly damaged many Jack London 1st editions in a fairly short period of time.
Instead of splitting the books and furniture shipments, have you considered using one of the "you load/we drive" semitrailer services ? You would still hire teams to actually load and unload the trailer.
You pay for space used by the foot in the trailer, not weight.
You realize these are books right? Higher learning and all that?
It's not like a collection of 15,000 beanie babies. Books have value.
So how often are these 200 boxes of books being used for higher learning? My guess is that they spend all their time sitting on a shelf or in a box. Few books have much value (the physical book). It is the content that is of value, and that isn't being put to use on a shelf or in a box somewhere.
Last I saw a pod was about $1200, and that was just to rent one. Delivery fees to the house, and then transporting it are much more. Its nearly the cost of a mover, and twice what you could do on your own.
I would get help with the books from here: https://www.uhaul.com/MovingHelp/
They could pack and load the books, and then again unload when you get where you are going. I used some movers recently, and to give perspective: three guys moved a 1-2 bdrm into a 20ft box truck that ended up being 80% full, that was parked about 100 feet away, in 91 degree AZ heat, in a hair under an hour. You should be able to find someone who can pack the boxes, load the vehicle, or even deliver to the shipper.
If you are willing and able, I would rent a small box truck (about $1000 total, a little more after you figure about 9-10mpg). With moving help, hotels, food, fuel, and probably about a week of your time, I would expect around $2,000. Maybe $1,000-$1,500 if you could do it in a large van.
You could get the help with moving, and have them load them in boxes, then on a pallet, and ship it freight. I think freight would be much cheaper than a PODS. The big shippers offer this, and so does https://www.uship.com/ . I would personally put the books in garbage bags, maybe even add something to help them stay dry. (I would contact your shipper on recommendations for how to secure it, and how high). Then either strap down your boxes and shrink wrap it, or buy a couple pieces of plywood and some 2x4s and build a box around the books. Some pallets are 4ft x 3 1/3ft. If you pack 6ft high that gives about 80 cu ft of space, you would probably want two pallets.
Last option, just to make sure, I know USPS has medial mail. They give a discounted price for shipping: books, music, CDs, postcards, MEDIA. I would at least contact them, and see what assistance and price they can offer. For all you know they might even be able to pick up and deliver door to door for such a large amount. (1-800-ask-usps)
Thanks again for the positive suggestions.
I did not intend this thread to be a forum on the value of books or the ethics of culling same.
Just to be clear, I have already culled the books, they are of great value to me and will be passed on to the local library in Chapel Hill or in Chatham County NC either before or at my demise.
I will certainly look into having all our move done via a semi-trailer mover, since we have also culled furniture and personal belongings down to what will be a small move.
Maybe it is time for the mods to close this down, since I have received useful advice and am not interested in defending my desire to keep the books I have and to move them to my new home.
peace
Caroline
Media mail USPostal might be cheaper, but you'd have to haul those boxes to P.O. and maybe go to P.O. on the other end to pick them up. That could be a big pain.
We value books highly & I can't imagine moving without them.
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