The Lifeline Book Fair at Exhibition Park is bliss for bibliophiles, but all those books could be a bit overwhelming. Here are some tips to enhance the experience.
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1: Arrive early
If you're superkeen, you can join the many, many people who line up well before the venue is open. It can take a little time to get inside, but the pickings will be ripe and the crowd smaller than it will be later in the day. Second-hand book dealers can be among the first to come, searching for items they can then resell at markedly higher prices. It's hard to begrudge them the means to make a living, but for people who see books as treasures not profits, it can irk a little. I used to line up (fairly) early in the queue but now I come a little while after the opening - still early but with little or no wait to enter. It's much easier.
2: Learn the layout
There are free maps to guide you through the two big rooms of general books and other items and the Kakadu Room, which has collectibles. The way things are arranged doesn't seem to change much at Exhibition Park from one fair to another so if you're a regular, you probably have a pretty good idea of what's where.
3: Carrying capacity
You will (probably) know your spending and temptation limits so plan accordingly. You can buy calico bags (see above) and boxes at the venue or bring shopping bags, boxes, or canvas trolleys - whatever works. I've sometimes ended up with so many bags full I have to borrow one of the large book fair trolleys to get to the payment area and outside. I find a trolley (or two) helps. And keep an eye on the queue for tallying and paying: it varies from very long to very short.
4: Enjoy serendipity
It's been said with second-hand book stores that you might not find what you're looking for but you'll find things you didn't know you wanted. The same applies here. You can roam generally or focus on your favourite sections. There's always a vast array here, from general fiction to fantasy, history to humour and that's just to name a few of the book categories. You'll also find CDs, DVDs, board games, magazines and more. And as long as people keep buying, the tables will keep being refreshed as long as there's more stock, so check back periodically.
5: Remember, it's for a good cause
The three book fairs each year are major fundraisers for Lifeline's crisis support service. So you can feel good while having fun.
- The February Lifeline Book Fair is on at Exhibition Park in Canberra, Flemington Road, Mitchell, on Friday February 7 from 9am to 6pm, and Saturday February 8 from 9am to 5pm and Sunday February 9 from 10am to 4pm. Entry is by gold coin donation. lifelinecanberra.org.au/bookfair. For 24/7 crisis support phone 131114.