The Southside Bookfair is the first book fair to be held since Lifeline Canberra axed three positions in April including the warehouse manager who coordinated the events.

Lifeline Canberra chief executive officer Mike Zissler said the book fairs remained the single biggest way for the Canberra community to support the telephone counselling service. Volunteers were putting the finishing touches to the southside event.

"All we ask is that people stop in and have a look at what we have to offer," Mr Zissler said.

"Once the newcomers get through the doors, we know they'll be impressed with the quality of our books and the ease with which they can find anything of interest."

The fair will be open 2pm to 6pm on Friday. Fresh books will be unpacked for Saturday, with the doors opening at 9am and closing at 4pm. There will also be complimentary face painting on Saturday from 10am to 1pm. Opening hours on Sunday are 9am to 4pm.

Lifeline Canberra's tongue-in-cheek commercial for its book fairs ("Stuff People Don't Say About Our Book Fairs") is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmca8uV5XWk