The first customers were waiting at the doors when the 25^th Otumoetai College Bookarama opened for business at Baycourt today.

It is the beginning of a three-day book sale that is the college PTA's main fundraiser.

The first Bookarama buyers scramble for bargains.

There's a lot of books to be sold, says PTA member Robert Pinkerton.

'We raised $15,000 last year, but last year we didn't have as many books,” says Robert. 'We have got the numbers back up this year – we've got a whole container full.”

Bookarama's best year was $23,000 in sales, also out of a full container, says Robert.

While the 8am customers had good picking this morning, Robert says the books on display will be replenished from the container on Saturday and Sunday, so it will pay keen book buyers to return.

In recognition of the sale's 25^th anniversary, there will be spot prize sliver pendant presented to a lucky customer during the three day sale.

Tauranga author Silvia Bowden will also be at Bookarama, selling and signing copies of her books ‘How to stop your kids going broke' and ‘The NZ Budget Kit.'

Silvia will be there from 5pm till 6.30pm today Friday, and from 10am till noon on Saturday. Sylvia will be donating a portion of her sales to Otumoetai College.

Bookarama is open until 8pm today, and re-opens tomorrow at 8am, closing at 4pm.

Sunday hours are from 9am until noon.