The longest, continuous running second-hand book sale in the New England and North West of NSW celebrates 25 years this month.
The annual Armidale Rotary Book Fair attracts hundreds of eager book lovers and second-hand bookstore owners from Newcastle to the Queensland border, keen on snapping up a bargain or special book.
The 2023 Armidale Rotary Book Fair is running from May 13 to May 20, 9am-5pm daily.
President of Armidale Central Rotary, Andrew Pratt said there are between 40 and 50 thousand high quality books for sale over the 8-day fair, all donated by the communities of Armidale, Guyra and Uralla.
“Often the big, yellow book bin, into which people deposit their books has to be emptied
four times a week because of the generosity of the local community," he said.
Mr Pratt explained that books at the sale mostly sell for either $3 for hardbacks and large format soft-cover or $2 for all general books in all categories and $1 per book for children’ books. CDs and DVDs sell for $2 each.
In a new addition this year, the upstairs area of the Armidale jockey club will be dedicated to the special books of the fair which are either rare because of their age, highly desired because they would retail between $60 and $200 or books of exceptional quality.
Mayor of Armidale Regional Council, Sam Coupland congratulates Armidale Central Rotary on 25 years of the sale and giving generously of their time to the community.
“The longevity of any community event is significant, however to keep it going for 25 years and raise millions for local and international causes – that is remarkable and should be celebrated,” said the mayor.
Each year the funds raised by the Armidale Central Rotary club are donated to local,
national and international causes.
The annual Book Fair runs from Saturday 13 to Saturday 20 May (inclusive) 9am to
5pm daily and is held at the Armidale Racecourse on Barney Street opposite The Armidale School (TAS).