And hopefully, for the Rotary Club of Alexandra, will bring in about $30,000.
The club is holding its 27th annual book sale, beginning today, and is hoping to add to the more than $400,000 of donations from past sales that has been given to charity.
Sale co-convener Ken Cook, of Alexandra, said he had been sorting some of the 40-odd tonnes of books contributed for the five-day event all year.
''They are all donated; most come from Alexandra. We collect them all year. We biff out a lot of stuff that is not suitable because of its condition.
''We are aiming at holiday reading for most of them and price them accordingly,'' Mr Cook said.
Most of the books would be priced at between $2 and $8.
''We have about six to eight books that are so valuable that we will send them down to auction in Dunedin. The most expensive book here is about $25.''
The sale had something for everyone, with about 30 different categories, including children's books at 50 cents each.
During the first day, about 10 staff would manage the sale.
Over the five days, about 40 Rotary club members would help out.
The weather affected numbers at the sale, Mr Cook said.
''If it is bad weather people come in to keep warm on a wet day.''
Over the past five years, sales had averaged about $25,000 each year, but Mr Cook hoped to make about $30,000 this year.
The book sale was the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Rotary club, with all money given to charities, often charities for children.
Which charities would benefit from the sale was yet to be decided.
Opening hours for the sale, which will be at the Alexandra Community Centre in Skird St, are 9am-5pm, today until Tuesday.
