Beginning on Boxing Day in Alexandra, the five-day book sale is a holiday institution, and it attracts visitors and locals eager to invest in some reading material.
"Last year's sale reached a record of $23,000 and we're hopeful, because we've got more books and better quality books this time, that figure will rise to $25,000 this year," sale convener Ken Cook said yesterday.
The event began 23 years ago and the proceeds over the years - about $300,000- have been used for various community projects.
"It's become a real holiday institution and we consider it part of our role to provide cheap reading material for holidaymakers, " club president Mark Willyams said.
"One of the nice things about it, is that many of our regular customers who come in year after year, donate the books they've bought at the sale back to the sale once they've finished with them."
The books are measured in tonnes rather than numbers and this year, 40 tonnes of books are on offer, in 25 different categories.
It will be the last time St Enoch's church hall is used as a venue.
The building is making way for the Alexandra Community House, a new building on the same site, which will be the base for up to 40 community groups.
"We've been assured we can use the new building next time and it's a great location being on the main street; that's a real asset, " Mr Willyams said.
Book dealers armed with sacks are among those who queue up several hours before the sale opens.
Mr Cook said Rotary members do some internet research on "collectable" books which have been donated, to see what they are selling for online, before pricing those items.
Proceeds from the sale go towards a host of projects, including sending young people on Outward Bound and other leadership courses and offering educational grants.
The sale begins on Boxing Day and finishes on December 30.
By the book
- This year's sale the 23rd
- Top profit: $23,000 in 2009
- 40 tonnes of books on offer
- 25 categories
- Volunteers devote 500 hours to the project
- Around 5000 customers over the five days
- First day's sales the biggest, at $10,000
- Has raised about $300,000 over the years
