Bob’s story: One million books and how to find the treasure among them

Few embody that dedication like Bob Burton who has volunteered at Brotherhood Books for more than 15 years.

Brotherhood Books has just reached a remarkable milestone: one million books uploaded to our website! Each one has been saved from landfill and given a second life. This is a number worth celebrating and one that belongs entirely to our volunteers: the people who sort, clean and sanitise every single donation before it its cherished by our customers.

Few embody that dedication like Bob Burton who has volunteered at Brotherhood Books for more than 15 years.

Bob spent his career in the arts industry, and when he retired, he was looking for something meaningful and stimulating to fill his days. An advertisement for a volunteer position at Brotherhood Books caught his eye. He hasn't looked back since.

"I've always loved reading," Bob says. "Sorting through the incredible collection at Brotherhood Books, all of which has been donated, has only expanded my reading interests. I've discovered so many new and exciting authors."

Bob's particular gift lies in spotting the rare and the valuable among the tens of thousands of books that pass through the warehouse each year. Over 15 years, he's built an eye and an instinct for a good find.

His most exciting discovery came when he uncovered a first edition of Ian Fleming's The Man with the Golden Gun. "I did some research and found that only 940 copies of this edition were produced, each with an embossed gun on the cover," he says. Recognising its significance, the team sent the book to an auction house in the US, where it sold for $6,000 USD, proceeds that went straight back into BSL's programs and services.

It's a story that captures exactly what Brotherhood Books is about, ordinary donations, extraordinary outcomes and volunteers like Bob who bring the care and curiosity that make it all possible.

We marked the one million milestone during National Volunteer Week with a "Hats off to our volunteers" celebration at our Kensington warehouse, bringing together around 50 volunteers and 10 staff for hats, prizes and morning tea. Every parcel sent to customers this month carries a special bookmark thanking the donors, volunteers and customers who helped get us here.

To Bob, and every volunteer who has sorted, shelved and treasure-hunted their way to one million books, thank you. This milestone is yours.

Shop the collection and support BSL's work at www.brotherhoodbooks.org.au