Dubbo's Michael Egan Memorial Book Fair attracts crowds

She was one of about 1000 people to come through the doors of the event, organised by the Rotary Club of Dubbo Macquarie.

It encourages reading as it raises funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and the Royal North Shore Hospital's Bill Walsh Cancer Research Centre.

A first-timer at the book fair, Ms Gracie said she thought there was a "pay-it-forward culture" with books.

"People don't just throw them out, they pass them on somewhere," she said.

Book fair coordinator Peter English said they were thankful to the Dubbo community for its support.

"It's great to have that support, not only for the donation of the books, but I see the people quite often who donated books, a couple of months ago, and then they are in buying back books, it's great, it's recycling," he said.

This year a special deal allowed customers to fill a shopping bag of children's books "for only a few dollars".

"Anything to promote education of kids," Mr English said.

"So ipads are great, but for reading there's nothing like the tactile feel of a book, of reading a story, from the grandparents or the parents to the child.

"And they'll be able to keep the book for years and remember who read it to them.

"And when they can read, they'll read it to themselves time and time again."

The Rotarian said they were pleased with the turnout this year.

"Last year we gave away $14,000, which was split between the RFDS South Eastern Section and the Bill Walsh Cancer Research, which is attached to the Royal North Shore Hospital," he said.

"So we're hopeful we'll achieve that this year."

Across the past decade, members have handled about 250,000 donated books and raised almost $100,000.

Michael Egan, a charter member of the Rotary Club of Dubbo Macquarie and avid reader was treated at the Bill Walsh Cancer Research Centre before his death in 2007.