Volunteer Christine Cook displays titles from among the thousands at the Lifeline book fair. Picture: DAVE TEASE
Avid readers will have a record 85,000 titles to sift through this weekend as Lifeline prepares for its biggest annual Big Book Fair.
A record number of books will hit tables at the Illawarra Sports Stadium tomorrow, spanning dozens of categories including the ever popular old, rare and interesting sections.
A limited-edition copy of paintings and illustrations by Australian artist Lance Solomon, available for $800, is set to be a highlight of the "Something Special" section while a new "treasure hunt" table will showcase 10,000 unsorted books.
Lifeline South Coast executive director Grahame Gould said the event remained popular with residents, despite the international decline of printed books.
"I think people love the event and the buzz of it ... when you come here on Friday morning, there are hundreds of people around, it's a great feeling," he said.
"I think there still is a life for books ... I know when people are travelling [an e-reader] is more convenient but it's ideal for when you're at home, snuggled up in bed - people love the physicality of having a book."
Mr Gould hoped this year's sales would match the $116,000 raised last year for Lifeline services in the region.
"It is a good cause," he said.
"Suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged between 15 and 44 so our overall aim, with services like our telephone crisis line, is to reduce that rate."
The book fair will be open between 8am and 6pm tomorrow and Saturday, and from 8am to 4pm on Sunday.
Entry is via gold coin donation.