Rotary Club of Nanaimo's bi-annual book sale is now underway at Nanaimo North Town Centre, which generously donates the space for the popular event. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

books galore

‘You gotta get here early:’ large crowds flock to Rotary Club of Nanaimo book sale

Apr 5, 2024 | 12:01 PM

NANAIMO — With nearly 80,000 titles available, Nanaimo North Town Centre has been converted into a book lover’s dream.

On Friday, April 5 the popular fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Nanaimo started, with hundreds of people showing up in the morning to comb through dozens of tables lining the mall’s interior.

Janine Coutu, Rotary Club of Nanaimo member and book club committee co-chair, said they have a wide range of books neatly organized for people of all ages.

“We do 50 per cent of our sales in the first three days of the 10 day sale, so you gotta get here early if you want to get the book you want,” Coutu said, who emphasized promoting literacy is a key goal of their club.

Nanaimo North Town Centre was buzzing with people searching for and buying books on Friday, April 5. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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The bi-annual event taking place every spring and fall at the shopping centre has been a critical revenue generator for Rotary Club of Nanaimo.

Coutu said about $130,000 is raised annually from their book sales, with a total of nearly $2 million collected over the past 15 or so years the event has been staged.

Rotary Club of Nanaimo undertakes hands-on community improvement projects, as well as donates money to numerous organizations locally and abroad benefiting people in need.

Coutu anticipates between 40,000 and 45,000 books will be sold through this sale running until Sunday, April 14.

Donations are accepted year-round at the mall in a bin located outside London Drugs.

“Our best customers are the people that come and buy books, read them and donate them back to us, it just keeps it all going,” Coutu said.

Pocket books are $2.50 each, while hardcovers are sold for $3.

Thinner items, such as cookbooks and kids books, are measured at checkout and sold at a rate of $3 per inch.

“My personal favourite is when I watch the kids come and they’ve been able to pick out a book by themselves and they come and they’re so excited to buy it, that warms my heart.”

Rotary Club of Nanaimo’s Janine Coutu. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Ian.homes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes