Bibliophiles descend on annual book sale

Making the most of the first day of the Rotary Club of Alexandra’s annual book sale are (from...
Making the most of the first day of the Rotary Club of Alexandra’s annual book sale are (from left) Pat and Carolyn Cooney, and Stefan (8), Hendrik, Olivia (10) and Amy Delport, all of Alexandra. PHOTO: JARED MORGAN
It was perfect weather to curl up with a book.

Bibliophiles took full advantage of a wet and less-than-summery start to the new year to descend on the Alexandra Community Centre in Skird St for the 33rd annual Rotary Club book sale yesterday.

Club member Barry Hambleton said he and fellow members Mike Rooney and Kevin Mackenzie, alongside other club members, had been preparing since Labour Weekend for this year’s event.

The four-day event typically raises between $22,000 and $27,000 and all funds raised go back into the community.

A format change in 2018, due to the venue being booked for a wedding, had worked in the event’s favour, Mr Hambleton said.

"For the first 30 years we ran from Boxing Day until the end of the year — for five days."

Family commitments around Christmas meant not all Rotary members were available to lend a hand and moving and shortening the event to four days had worked well.

"We ended up making the same amount of money."

A new tradition was cemented and the extra hands were appreciated, he said.

Testament to its success were the 60 crates of books on offer this year and the number of dealers from as far afield as Timaru and Southland who lined up outside before the doors opened at 9am.

Their tastes were specific, Mr Hambleton said.

"One lady from Timaru collects cookery books."

Others looked for children’s books.

Those thinking the best books on offer were snaffled up immediately did not need to worry, Mr Hambleton said.

"We still have crates to unpack — we refresh the books over the four days."

As for contentious publications, he had yet to see any but admitted a set of E.L. James’ Fifty of Shades of Gray had proved hard to shift several years ago.

Tastes in reading tended to change from year to year, but there were perennial favourites such as Lee Child, Bill Bryson and Diana Gabaldon.

There was always a run on Mills and Boon bodice rippers and Golden Books, he said.

People were not necessarily looking to build their home libraries.

"We see books come back with last year’s price stickers on them. People buy them, read them and then stock up with fresh books."

That was the case for three generations of the Delport-Cooney clan of Alexandra, who were restocking with an average of five books each yesterday.

Amy Delport likened the sale to a library — with an extended loan period and no fines.

The sale runs until Monday.

jared.morgan@odt.co.nz

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement