The Calgary Book Drive and Sale is poised to shatter another record.
As it heads into its second weekend, already more books have been collected than during any other year, more volunteers are helping than in the past and record numbers of people have checked out the sale.
In fact, if it does even half the business it did last weekend, the sale will be well on its way to raising more money than any previous book sale and will also tip the event's six-year sales tally to more than $1 million.
"It's very exciting to think that we are probably going to raise that much money," said organizer Bob Poole. "It makes you realize how much your work goes to helping others."
Last weekend, the sale raised more than $138,000 for the Servants Anonymous Society and Calgary Herald literacy projects, and Poole hopes to raise an additional $42,000 by Sunday.
Things were looking up Friday morning as more than 200 people lined up before the doors opened, waiting to get their hands on literary treasures.
Die-hard book collectors arrived early, toting empty boxes and holding Thermoses of coffee.
Andrew Ryan, a used bookstore owner from Edmonton, made the trip early Friday to get his hands on hard-to-find books requested by his clients.
"It's not glamorous, but it's fun," he said of the hard work and keen eye needed to stay afloat in the book business.
Inside, volunteer Inese Clark prepped the special books section, where collectors' items and rare books are kept.
"A lot of the collectors line up to especially see what I have in my section," she said.
And while books in Clark's section might be in high demand, many books will not be sold due to the sheer number donated this year.
Schools, senior's facilities, hospitals and not-for-profit agencies are invited to claim any remaining books on Monday, but must show proper identification.
After that, two recycling companies in Calgary and a book distribution company in Abbottsford, B.C., will take the books and make sure they are recycled. Poole estimates an equivalent of 450 trees were recycled last year because of the discards, and believes this year will see even more trees saved.
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The sixth annual Calgary Book Drive and Sale, supported by the Herald, continues today at the Crossroads Market, corner of Blackfoot Trail and 26th Avenue S.E.
All book sales and the $2 admission fee will benefit both the Servants Anonymous Society, which helps Calgary women escape the dangerous, exploitative street lifestyle, and Herald literacy projects.