The Invercargill Rotary sale took place over the weekend.
The Otago Daily Times was contacted by a concerned reader about a skip full of books near the Scottish Hall where the sale took place.
The skip contained discarded books which appeared to be heading for disposal. Other people have commented on social media about the skip full of books.
But Invercargill Rotary Club president Chami Abeysinghe said the books were not going to the dump.
"They are going to be recycled, turned into paper or toilet paper and other things. They are not going to be dumped at a landfill," she said.
"People have come forward with ideas with what we can do with these old books. How to do things better and come up with what to do with these books."
She said some ideas had been pursued previously but had not been successful. But they could be looked at again.
The group had already contacted schools, retirement homes and other groups about taking books. Some groups had got in touch even before the sale started.
Sadly, it was simply a fact that some books did not sell and were in poor condition so could no longer be sold, she said.
She said the sale had gone very well in its new venue at the hall.
A steady stream of people attended the sale.
A final fundraising total is yet to be revealed.
