You can ship by rail. I worked at an Antique Mall. They shipped dishes on the train. You may be able find info on the Internet or look up the train in the phone book. I've had difficulty finding info on trains because I don't know the official names that they use but I eventually find it.
You can also send it via Greyhound. Yes, you do have to take it to the depot and pick it up at it's destination. Again, call for prices.
I shipped a rug from the East coast to the West coast via a shipping company. A step van picked up the rug, which they told me how to prepare for shipping, and it was added to a van which left the area once it was full. Then a step-van delivered it to me. The cost was very reasonable and noticeably less than the cost of replacing it.
I shipped a couple of boxes with UPS. Sometimes UPS is less expensive than the USPS but sometimes it's the other way around. I do know that books/literature when shipped separately have a lower rate than other items at the post office. I'd compare prices at Fed Ex, UPS, and the other companies whose name I can't remember right now. Look in the yellow pages, probably under shipping. There are several companies that do this.
It may be less expensive to replace books, toys, bedding once you get there than to have them shipped. I learned that the hard way. I also suggest that you might want to ship the lap top separately, being sure to insure it.
Unless you have specific books to which you're attached, I suggest that you can replenish your supply for very little money at a thrift store. I purchased most of my children's books that way. I've found really good ones that showed little to no wear as well as ones that I was specifically looking for.
