Thousands of bargains to be found at annual Bookarama

Thousands of books are being sorted into categories ahead of Ashburton’s annual Bookarama which runs from September 23-28.

Many hands are making light work for the Rotary Club of Ashburton event.

Club members joined Ashburton Inner Wheel members at the former Wastebusters site in the industrial estate over the past three weeks in the lead-up to moving all the books into the Bookarama site at the Sports Hall on Tancred St.

Co-ordinator David Mead said it had been a busy few weeks as volunteers pick up books from multiple drop-off points each day.

"Once we put the boxes around town, then we have to clear them every morning," Mead said.

"Some days we have to clear them twice a day."

The most popular drop-off point was Ashburton New World, where up to 100 books were collected each day.

Volunteers have been sorting the books into categories, including small paperbacks, crafts and hobbies, large fiction, children and specials.

Specials are considered good books in top condition that will attract a higher price, say $5.

The remaining books are expected to be sold for around $2 to $4 each.

Hundreds of other items will also be up for grabs, such as jigsaw puzzles, LPs and DVDs.

Mead said he and the other members would "like to think" the amount raised from sales will be higher than the last year event.

The 2023 Bookarama was the most successful in the event's history, bringing in $67,000. The first Bookarama was held in 1980.

The money raised has benefitted a wide range of Canterbury projects over the years.

Meanwhile, the Rotary Club is on the lookout for more people to join and help with events including Bookarama.

A membership drive earlier this year helped the club get about half a dozen new members.

Mead said the more the merrier: "We are still looking for new members and, if people want to be part of Bookarama and projects we do, come along and join," Mead said.