Determined not to let last week's Mitchell chemical fire affect the smooth running of the Spring LifeLine Bookfair, volunteers and staff gave up regular work days and worked through the week to get more than 200,000 items ready for sale today.
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Yesterday, Lifeline ACT chief executive Mike Zissler praised the efforts of his staff and supporters for successfully bringing the event together.
''We had a bit of a crisis last Friday morning. That's the day we normally move all the books to Epic,'' Mr Zissler said.
With most of Mitchell in lock-down for much of last weekend, Lifeline could do little but wait it out. With today's opening looming, staff and volunteers were placed under extra pressure.
''We basically did four day's work in two,'' Mr Zissler said. ''We could not do this without our volunteers, we only have 14 staff. The reality is 350 bookfair volunteers make this event what it is.''
Crowds were already gathering yesterday, lining up to be the first to gain entry into the fair with about a dozen having come from interstate. Mr Zissler said book dealers and collectors were the most keen to find bargains and rare items.
''The queue will go from the entrance out the front gate. Once we open the doors it's a bit like wildebeests crossing the river,'' he said.
Much of the excitement is generated by the Kakadu Room which contains the rarest and most valuable items for sale.
This year's fair features a mint condition Heidi's Early Experiences. A story for children and those who love children, priced at $1000, and a rare 1926 souvenir guide to Canberra.
Outside the Kakadu room, books can be bought for as a little as 50c.
Lifeline's 2011 Autumn Bookfair raised $471,000, breaking previous records by $50,000.
Since starting out in 1971, Lifeline Canberra has answered more than half-a-million calls for help. Each call the organisation answers costs $40 in terms of training and resources.
Building on the bookfair's success and the $7 million dollars it has raised, Lifeline plans to roll out more fairs in areas such as Cooma, Goulburn and Yass.
