Volumes by Herbert Ganado will be among the rare and ‘rescued’ books on offer at the annual Salesians Bargain Book Fair later this month.

Two volumes of Nieħu Gost Nitkellem Magħkom, a collection of the renowned writer’s columns in the Church newspaper Leħen is-Sewwa will sit alongside thousands of new, old and second-hand titles, many collected by the Salesians of Don Bosco after being discarded by others.

“People throw away books without realising what they’re actually discarding.

“We collect, clean and sometimes restore books,” said Fr Charles Cini, who has organised the fair for 25 years.

We’re lucky to have so many people who love books

Over the years it has been held, the fair has developed a strong following, Fr Cini said, with particular interest in its extensive Melitensia and history selections.

The fair is held to raise funds for the St Patrick’s residential services for young people who need a home away from home due to personal or social circumstances.

Fr Cini added that using books to support the Salesians’ work was also a way of staying true to their founding principles,

“Our founder Don Bosco loved books, published books and also understood how important they are for the education of young people,” he said.

“We follow that line. They say the internet is killing books but in my experience that’s not true. In Malta, we’re lucky to have so many people who love books, reading them, collecting them, exchanging them.

“It’s amazing to see.”

The fair will be held between April 24 and 29 from 10am to 7pm at St Patrick’s Salesian School, St John Bosco Street, Sliema.