More than twenty years ago, Ken Hall from Albert Park Rotary had an idea to sell second hand books to raise money to return to the local community.
Now Ken and a small committed team, in a smooth operation, raise about $100,000 each year from second hand books which is reinvested in supporting community projects. The small team collects, sorts, prices and then sells the books at stalls in Bay St and Gasworks Farmers Market.
Over the years, Ken has honed his skill in identifying valuable books which are sold on a dedicated ABE page, as well as on eBay. They make an average of $1,000 a week from the sale of books online.
Ken is so passionate about this project and its value that he gets frustrated at times. He just wishes more people were aware of it, and bought more books. He takes time out fishing on Lagoon Pier.
You’ll find Ken on Gasworks Farmers Market days at the bookstall near the cafe. Just don’t go past without buying a book.
How the book recycling scheme works
Books can be deposited in dedicated Rotary labelled wheelie bins at the Port Melbourne and Albert Park Libraries – a service hosted by the City of Port Phillip. RAP asks donors to give books in the sort of condition they would like to receive as a gift. Volunteer drivers pick up the books from the libraries and take them to Albert Park College where they are sorted and priced.
The partnership with Albert Park College is fruitful. 25% of sales go the College for the use of the space for sorting and storing books. RAP supplies library books to the College, valued over the life of the partnership at about $250,000.
At the Albert Park College Lit Fest, held each year, Rotary awards two $500 scholarships to students who have who have shown outstanding results in the liberal arts.
Each year, RAP holds a booksale over two days at Albert Park College. In December 2025, the book sale raised over $7,000.
Rotary Bookshop in Docklands
Carol Oxley dedicates herself to the book project seven days a week. On Saturdays, she manages a stall outside Holy Trinity in Bay St.
In 2023, a shop was made available to Rotary in the District Docklands. It’s open seven days a week. Carol spends several days there each week. The shop is overflowing with excellent titles of every genre. The project is supported by Carlton and Fitzroy Rotary. Classics are the most popular, according to Carol, followed closely by books on religion. Carol is reluctant to discard books and never gives up on trying to find a new home for them.
RAP likes to support projects with a literacy or education focus such as Hope in a Suitcase1, 123Red2Me and Reading Out of Poverty.
Ken and Carol truly exemplify the Rotary motto “Service above self”.
Rotary Club of Albert Park on ABE books
Rotary Club of Albert Park bookshop is at Wharf St, District Docklands, towards the Star Observation Wheel end. Take the 35, 70 or 86 trams to D11-Waterfront City stop, the end of the line.
1 Hope in a Suitcase is a volunteer run NFP that provides a suitcase of essential items to children entering the foster care system. The suitcase gives a safe and secure place in which to pack their belongings to take with them wherever their journey may lead.
Ken enjoys selecting near new childrens books for Hope in a Suitcase
.
