But with almost 7000 books up for grabs, ranging from novels, coffee table, large-print, children’s and reference books, organisers are promising there will be something for everyone.

The Rotary Club of Ballarat East said the bonanza was the city’s largest second-hand book sale, which would be held Saturday and Sunday at St Andrew’s Hall on the corner of Sturt and Dawson Street North.

Titles start at 50 cents, with all novels selling between $1 to $2.

Club president Kevin Flynn said proceeds would support a range of organisations including Ballarat Health Services, Lifeline Ballarat, the 3BA Christmas Appeal, Books for Babies and the Red Cross.

“In supporting this venture, Ballarat people will be able to pick up their favourite reading material at bargain prices, while contributing to projects to assist the vulnerable and less well-off members of our community,” he said.

Some of the books on offer include difficult-to-find second-hand titles that organisers said would “appeal to the serious collector” and would normally fetch high prices.

Some of these include In the Wake – The True Story of the Melbourne-Evans Collision, Conspiracy and Cover-Up, published in 1999, Our Dear Old Battalion – The Story of the 7th Battalion AIF 1914-1919 by Ron Austin, and two different editions of The Lord of the Rings – Weapons and Warfare by Chris Smith.

The bonanza is open between 9am and 4pm, with entry by gold coin donation.