Throughout the semester you could have dozens of high priority tasks to take care of in any one day. One of the easier and more important tasks is taking good care of your textbooks. This might not strike you as a priority; especially if you have rented the books and plan to return them at the end of the semester. However, if you want to avoid extra fees for damaged books, take good care of them while they are in your possession and carefully package them when it’s time to ship them back.
During the Semester
Your books have arrived by mail, or you have hauled them home from the bookstore, and now you want to know what you can do to make sure they stay in good condition through the end of the semester.
Step 1: Keep the boxes your books came in.
If you ordered your books online they will probably come in boxes. Stack these boxes somewhere out of the way so you can use them to return the books later.
Step 2: Designate a place to store your books.
Your books need to have a permanent home. It doesn’t need to be an alphabetized bookshelf, but it needs to be a place that is dry, away from AC or other air vents, and out of the way of any potential mishaps.
Step 3: Lend your books cautiously.
If a friend asks to borrow your book take a picture of them holding it. This way you have proof that you lent it to them if they claim they don’t have it anymore at the end of the semester. Only lend your books to people you already trust. Your textbooks are a major financial investment and you don’t want Clumsy Calvin to drop yours in his fish tank.
Step 4: Transport your books carefully.
If you need to haul your books back and forth to study sessions consider getting a fabric book cover that will protect it from jagged edges and other items in your backpack. Do not store a textbook in a bag that also contains any liquid or food items. If something spills in your bag you may lose your investment.
At the End of the Semester
You have reached the end of the semester, your finals are finished, and you are packing up to head home for the break. Now, what do you do with the books? You check the rental agreement for a return date or contact a buyer/seller/renter service like Booksrun.com https://booksrun.com/faq#Q8 to take the books off your hands.
Step 1: Find those boxes you saved from the beginning of the semester.
If your books came in boxes it is time to get those back out. These boxes are typically small and fit only a few textbooks or a half dozen novels at a time. This makes them perfect for returning or selling your books because they will not become too heavy to lift nor too heavy for the bottom of the box to support.
Step 2: Print your packing slip and shipping label from Booksrun.com https://booksrun.com/rent/return.
Reference the packing slip to determine which books to pack together. If the packing slip lists a book that is not in that box when it gets returned it might be mistakenly marked as “not returned” or “lost” incurring additional fees.
Step 3: Pack your books flat.
Pack the biggest book flat on the bottom first and then stack up from there getting smaller. Packing books flat prevents awkward vertical packing that might lead to bent or otherwise damaged books.
Step 4: Pack your books tightly.
Always pack as many books as you can in a single box without making it heavier than you can easily lift. This will keep books from bumping into each other and sliding around during transit. Fill any gaps with packing paper, newspaper, or bubble wrap to cushion the books.
Step 5: Pack the boxes light.
You need to reduce the number of books if the bottom of the box bulges outward when you pick it up. If your books break their box during transit you may be liable for lost or damaged books. You should never pack books in big boxes because they will be too heavy and awkward to lift.
Step 6: Store your boxes of books correctly.
Do not leave the boxes of books in your car, outside, or in your laundry room for longer than necessary. Dry heat can crack book covers and dry out book glue whereas humidity can warp covers and encourages mold growth. Cover the boxes with garbage bags, shower curtains, and other water-resistant materials if you must move your boxes of books while it is raining.
Step 7: Ship the books to their destination.
Apply the free shipping label supplied by Booksrun.com https://booksrun.com/rent/return and transport your books to the nearest UPS, FedEx, or Post Office depending on the label. Always ask for a receipt when you drop off your books so that you can prove that they are on their way.
That’s it! You’re done. Now you know everything you need to keep your textbooks in peak condition especially while returning them. Take these tips and tricks with you throughout your academic career to avoid fees and fines incurred by damaged books.
