There are inexpensive pressboard open bookcases with adjustable shelving that can be very easily damaged. These should be padded and belted to make them safe and sturdy for moving. Even then, due to the nature of pressboard material, damages can still occur because that material can’t take normal moving pressures.
Then there are soft pinewood or painted open bookcases that hold up well under normal moving pressures. These bookcases can be moved without pads but only if two men carry them and they take great care of the piece to not scrape it.
Finally, there are expensive hardwood open bookcases or glass door bookcases.
When padded right and carried correctly, these bookcases should not get damaged during a house move. They need to be padded in the same manner as an armoire (the back of the bookshelves can be left unpadded as was done with the ones shown being carried and dollied in the pictures below.
