By Times Team
Copyright times
By Times’ Junior Journalist Jianna Kapoor
We often say everyone deserves a second chance, so what about our books?
Bookarama is a unique event that brings the community together like a giant jigsaw puzzle, collecting donated books, puzzles, games, and CDs.
These are then sold to raise funds for local charities, schools, and projects, giving every book a new chapter in life – their second chance.
I recently had the privilege of visiting one of the collection points to see the incredible work that goes behind the scenes.
Carole Ansley and Glenice Yeoman of the Rotary Club of Howick and their dedicated army of volunteers work tirelessly each year to make this event a success.
In the basement of the Ray White building (the business provides the space for the club), I was met with towering stacks of books and games, all carefully sorted into boxes labelled by category and genre.
During my two-hour visit, I saw donations come in through drop-off points and a pickup service.
Once they arrive, volunteers check every item, sometimes label them as being special, and carefully sort them into boxes by genre and prepare them for the big move to PlaceMakers Pakuranga for storage, and then to Howick College’s gymnasium, where this five-day event will take place from October 1-5.
Over the years, volunteers have come across some truly fascinating finds.
One standout was Sir Douglas Mawson’s Journal, written by the Australian explorer who led Antarctic expeditions.
After some research, the team discovered a museum in Australia dedicated to Mawson and sold the journal to them, ensuring it ended up exactly where it belonged.
Special treasures, vintage books and rare finds like this are displayed on the “special table”, which collectors eagerly rush to on opening day.
Bookarama is about more than just selling books. It’s about making sure nothing goes to waste.
Books that don’t find a new home are donated to local schools or saved for future smaller events, keeping them out of landfills and encouraging reading across the community.
What can’t be saved goes for paper recycling.
Behind this event is a small but passionate team of more than 20 volunteers, from teens to seniors, who spend months planning and preparing for this big event.
On setup day, tons of books are transported and carefully arranged into sections.
Community groups like the Coastguard even pitch in to help.
The funds raised go directly back into the community, supporting local schools, environmental projects like Trees for Survival, leadership programs like the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), and families in need through food and blanket donations.
Every dollar makes a real difference to our local community. Bookarama isn’t just about books, it’s about community spirit, recycling, and creating lasting change.
It is about bringing the whole village together for a greater good.
So, Howick and surrounding suburbs, this is your invitation to come along, bring a friend or family members, and be part of something special.
Whether you buy, donate, or simply stop by to thank the volunteers, you’ll be helping every book with a second chance to be loved and cared for again.
Jianna Kapoor is in year 7 at Somerville Intermediate School
