Thousands of books will soon be packed into one of Newcastle’s biggest venues, with some unusual finds among the collection.
The Friends of the University Annual Book Fair will return to the Great Hall at the University of Newcastle’s Callaghan campus from the 11 to 15 September.
More than 40,000 second-hand books will be available, alongside CDs, DVDs, games, puzzles, music scores and records.
The fair will open with an early-bird session from 4pm to 8pm on Friday, 11 September.
It will then run from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, and from 10am to 4pm on Monday and Tuesday.
A kiosk serving drinks and refreshments will also operate near the Great Hall on the weekend.
The 2025 event raised almost $98,000, with strong crowds turning out for the Friday night opening.
Book Fair Convenor Lesley Gent said almost 40 per cent of the money was raised during the first four hours.
“The Friday night opening was incredible,” Ms Gent said.
“Hundreds attended to snap up the ‘cream’ of the books on offer.”
The money raised allowed the Friends to sponsor two additional scholarships.
Rare and unusual items will be a feature of this year’s fair.
The collection includes a Bible and prayer book from the ship Sierra Nevada, Fashion in the Time of Fascism and a three-volume set of Paxton’s Flower Garden.
Two rare World War I volumes of 7th F.A.B. Yandoo will also be available.
Other sections will cover fiction, Australiana, local history, crime, recipes, children’s books, war, maritime transport and health.
The books and other items have been donated by the Hunter community.
Organisers have faced storage challenges this year after moving their sorting area from the Bowman Building to the Industry Development Centre.
Donations were paused during the move and later suspended again on 5 August due to limited space.
The Friends have asked residents to hold onto their books until donations reopen at their new premises in International House in October.
Funds from the fair support 11 University of Newcastle scholarships across disciplines including nursing, education, business, law, psychology, computing and environmental sustainability.
Each scholarship is worth $5,000 per year.
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