Thousands of book lovers had swarmed through the annual Regent Theatre 24-Hour Book Sale, in Dunedin, when it ended at noon today.
Book Sale organiser Alison Cunningham said the public had again responded positively, and she praised the consistently high quality of the live musical entertainment, including professional group the Oxo Cubans.
All the performers had volunteered their services for nothing, during the marathon event.
Mrs Cunningham said the public had also responded well to a plea from organisers to spread out their visits to the sale, and not all to rush in over the first few hours.
A huge rush of that kind put pressure on the volunteer staff, and made it harder for staff to restock tables, and spreading the demand more evenly had worked well for all concerned, she said.
Shortly after the sale ended, at least a dozen volunteers from the Rotary Club of Dunedin Central swung in to action, boxing up the $1 dollar books for later sale, to be organised by the club, to raise further funds for the theatre.
About $70,000 was raised at last year's sale, and about $10,000 more had later been raised through the Rotary Club sale.
This year $70,260 was raised, a slight improvement on last year.
"That's fine by me," she said.
The sale had again been busy, but details of the latest financial outcome were not immediately available.
Mrs Cunningham said the latest event had involved many book lovers and many volunteers, but one of the main attractions was not only the many books, but also the Regent Theatre itself, which the community had clearly taken to its heart, and was keen to support.
"I think people love the theatre,'' she said.
