Rotary volunteers had been sorting through more than 50,000 donated books dropped at service stations around the city from Southland residents.
Club volunteers, who had taken leave from their work, had been setting up the sale at the theatre since last Saturday.
Rotary member Lisa Flack said it had been a mammoth effort.
"It’s the only time of the year my arms feel toned."
Ms Flack said it was all hands on deck at this time of year when club members would rope in the help of every person they could get hold of.
Youthline Southland would be the recipients of all the money raised.
The club chose Youthline to maintain the youth focus.
Book sale convener Richard Russell said he had no expectations on how much would be raised by the sale.
‘Rotary member and "chief sorter" for 22 years, Richard King, said he had loved books since he was a child and used his passion to sort through the myriad books.
"You try and put quality on the shelves. There’s no use putting [out] rubbish.
He expected about two thirds of the books to sell. Some would be given to the Invercargill prison while the remainder would be recycled, he said.
The book sale’s success all hinged on the generosity of people who donated the books, Mr King said.
The sale finishes today.
- By Toni McDonald
