The queue to get into a popular Palmerston North secondhand book sale formed before dawn.
More than four thousand boxes of books are looking for a new home. Photo: RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham
As the rain bucketed down at 5am on Friday, David Johnson was one of the early arrivals keen for swift entry into the annual Red Cross Book Sale, which attracts thousands of people.
He wasn't even at the head of the queue, but said a soaked shirt was a small price to pay for getting first dibs on books about "a range of topics - philosophy, mathematics, science, psychology, anthropology, languages, paleontology, physics".
Others, such as Anne Van Brunt, had something more specific in mind.
"I'm looking for art books with colour plates. I hate art books with black and white plates. What use is a black and white plate?
"I want more specialised arts books. I don't want a general history of Degas. I want what Degas did in a particular part of his life, so I'm hoping to find that."
Van Brunt has been coming to the sale for 30 years.
She said she needed to queue, because quality art books would be quickly snapped up.
Once the weather cleared, the queue lengthened.
The sale filled up quickly as soon as the doors opened at 10am. Photo: RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham
People, such as Gordon Smith, from Wellington, came from around the lower North Island.
"I go for non fiction, mainly history... I just come up for the day. Up at 6 o'clock, leave at 7.
"This is a very good sale. It's huge. It has a great range of books."
At 10am, the doors were flung open and the keenest began their purposeful march, squelching across the Barber Hall lino to find the tables of their choice.
Most items cost a dollar or two.
Palmerston North lawyer Tony Thackery wasn't looking for anything specific, but hoped to find a nice surprise.
Paul Foote, of Palmerston North, was keen on buying records, CDs and other music.
"There's a plan B. If there's no audio stuff there's plenty of books. I can't lose."
Margaret Meehan kept herself busy as she waited for the doors to open. Photo: RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham
Margaret Meehan was after a particular author.
"I'm looking for Neville Shute. I haven't got a few of his. I haven't got On the Beach and I haven't got A Town like Alice. Everybody loves those.
"And I'm looking for historical novels."
Jill Spicer, an organiser of the sale, said more than 4000 boxes of books were ready for a new home.
"The books are dirt cheap. For people who don't have a lot of money it's fantastic.
"The books get another chance to go around. People who have books and don't know what to do with them, and hate the thought of throwing them out, get a chance to give them to us."
It took about 250 volunteers to make the sale work. Money raised went towards Red Cross activities, including helping newly arrived refugees.
As the tills started ringing, the early birds left with arms full of books and puzzles.
Jon Palmer had a bag of war books. Sharon Yanko had 10 jigsaw puzzles to keep herself busy.
The sale finishes on Monday.