📚 BOOKarama – Bishopdale Burnside Rotary

A community tradition powered by generosity and service.

⭐ What Is BOOKarama?

BOOKarama is Bishopdale Burnside Rotary’s flagship annual fundraising event — a much‑loved community book sale that has been running for more than 19 years.

Thanks to the generosity of Christchurch residents, we collect thousands of quality books, jigsaws, CDs, and DVDs and offer them at affordable prices.

Every purchase supports Rotary projects that make a meaningful difference locally and internationally.

📅 When It Happens

BOOKarama is held each year between March and April (occasionally extending into May). The sale runs over three days, attracting book lovers from across the region and even further afield.

BOOKarama 2026

Bookarama

BOOKarama 2026

April 17th – 19th

Bishopdale Recreation Centre

For more information...

📩 How BOOKarama Works

In the lead‑up to the event, our members, partners, and friends of Rotary come together to:

  • Collect donated books and media
  • Sort and pack thousands of items
  • Distribute road signs throughout the community
  • Prepare the venue with tables and category sections

On opening day, eager readers often arrive before the doors open — and we love seeing that enthusiasm. Throughout the sale, volunteers restock tables daily to ensure a fresh selection for every visitor.

After the event, we pack away remaining items, dismantle the venue setup, and begin planning for the following year.

đŸ€ How You Can Support BOOKarama

Donate Books

We gratefully accept good‑quality books, puzzles, CDs, and DVDs. Donation details will be updated ahead of the next event.

Volunteer With Us

From sorting books to helping at the sale, volunteers make BOOKarama possible. If you’d like to lend a hand, we’d love to hear from you.

Join Rotary

If you enjoy community service and connection, consider joining Bishopdale Burnside Rotary. BOOKarama is just one of the many ways we serve together.

đŸŽ„ BOOKarama in Action

From the CTV series showcasing Rotary in Canterbury — this segment highlights BOOKarama, led at the time by former member Roger Holmes.

❀ Thank You, Christchurch

BOOKarama thrives because of the generosity, enthusiasm, and community spirit of people like you.

Whether you donate, volunteer, or simply come along to browse, you’re helping us support meaningful projects locally and abroad.

We look forward to welcoming you to the next BOOKarama.

Bookarama Success continues for Bishopdale-Burnside Rotary Club

By Lucy Scannell

For the Bishopdale-Burnside Rotary club, their 13th annual Bookarama proved yet again to be a huge success. But, the club aren’t the ones who benefit from the money raised.

Read more...