She is a member of a 160-strong team, known as the Friends of Christchurch City Libraries.
Each year, up to 40 "friends" from "across the generations" unpack, display and sell thousands of ex-library books and magazines at the event, which opens on Friday at Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre.
After 30 years, the oldest and newest life member of the group has opted to leave the book sale to the younger volunteers.
Friends of the Library member Barbara Clarke said the group is involved in many areas of library life, but is always looking for new members.
"We have such a range of people involved, including those who help out with our popular book sale, which attracts thousands of people every year,” Clarke, a former librarian, said.
"The first book sale organised by the group was held at the (now demolished) King Edward Barracks in the central city in 1989.
"Today, we have about 6000 people browsing the annual Big Bargain Book Sale items over two days at the pioneer centre."
She pins the success of the sale on "everyone’s love of a bargain and the opportunity to purchase ex-library stock at very reasonable prices".
"Bargain hunters can purchase for their specialist interest areas, gather books and magazines for the bach, select children's picture books, easy and longer reads, and interesting non-fiction; and also choose from large print, graphic novels and a huge assortment of novels and non-fiction.”
Christchurch City Council head of libraries and information Carolyn Robertson said that the Friends of the Library is an "invaluable resource".
"The volunteers really drive the book sale, ensuring everything is well set out and that the sale days go amazingly well," she said.
"They constantly replenish the stock throughout both days so it does not matter when anyone arrives, there are always more bargains on the tables."
Set up in 1988, the Friends of the Library provides a monthly programme of book talks with local authors, and raises funds for a range of items, such as chairs for older people, art, digital cameras, wheelchairs and special book trolleys.
The Big Bargain Book Sale will take place at Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre on Friday, March 19, 9am to 7pm, and on Saturday, March 20, from 9am to 4pm.
If you are interested in joining the Friends of the Library, find out more here.
