The club’s ‘‘Bookarama’’ book sale is known for its huge selection and opening day rush.
Club member and volunteer Alisdair Sime said the opening day was ‘‘flat out’’.
Hundreds of people crammed into this year’s new location, Eveline Church hall on Thames Highway, many buying bags of books first thing in the morning.
Gary Kernahan, of Queenstown, who left the sale with two bags of books, said it was an ‘‘annual event’’ for him.
‘‘I come every year as I am a history buff and I love New Zealand literature. There is always a good selection,’’ Mr Kernahan said.
Becky Jenkins, of Christchurch, said she was a ‘‘bookaholic’’.
‘‘I was in town and couldn’t possibly go home without coming to Bookarama. I used to live in Oamaru, too.
‘‘It’s a wonderful selection, the Rotary members who give their time do such a great job of collecting and sharing these books with everyone — it’s marvellous,’’ Mrs Jenkins said.
Club president Miles Koberstein said the book sale began over 40 years ago, starting with sales for two and a-half days, but had now grown to nine days.
They had received donations of close to 10,000 books of ‘‘amazing quality’’ so far.
There were 32 categories in the sale and ‘‘all of them are covered’’, he said.
People could still donate and drop off books at Alex Campbell’s Menswear and North Otago Motor Group, Mr Koberstein said.
Bookarama is on until May 17.
