Friends of the Library raised more than $8000 last weekend through its annual used book sale in Te Anau.

People began queuing outside the Fiordland Community Events centre as early as 5.30pm last Friday night in anticipation of a good literary bargain.

After the doors opened at 6pm, crowds continuously streamed through for the next three hours buying $4000 worth of books that night alone. 

Friends of the Library chairwoman Marilyn Hunter said visitor numbers were steady the next day as well, with a total of $8100 raised for the group, making for a slightly higher number than in past years.

"I just think that it's now a regular feature in people's events. People look forward to the book sale and it's not only for locals. 

"I think everybody's out for a bit of a bargain, aren't they?"

The funds will help support the community group, and approximately a third of the profits will go to the Te Anau Scouts for their assistance with the sale.

Mrs Hunter said the group had already planned to use the funds to help bring children's author Jennifer Somervell to Te Anau to read some of her works and talk about writing.

The group was also thinking about buying a set of Lego for the Te Anau Library, she said.

As for the Scouts, Mrs Hunter said those funds would support their trip to this year's Jamboree in Hamilton in December.