Dunedin book-lover Stephen Kilroy has a sneak preview yesterday of the Star Regent 24-Hour Book Sale.
Book lovers and dealers from throughout New Zealand will descend on the sale, which starts at the Regent Theatre at noon on Friday.
A group of about 50 volunteers spent eight months preparing for the sale and the Anything But Books Sale in February, organiser Alison Cunningham said yesterday.
''On average, we handle 250,000 books across the year. The 24-hour book sale was started in 1979 to raise funds for the theatre and has since become an annual event, raising about $100,000 every year.
"It is the biggest sale of second-hand books in New Zealand.
''We've got another huge selection of books this year. There's a fantastic collection of old English motorcar workshop manuals and a lot of nearly new fiction,'' Mrs Cunningham said.
A selection of collectable books is on display in a second room under the stage. Funds raised this year will go towards upgrading film projection equipment in the theatre.
