That's the experience of the volunteers at the Rotary Club of Tamworth bookstore, who say they've had a doubling of turnover since reopening a few weeks ago.

President Steve Beaton puts that down to residents running out of things to read in lockdown.

"Yes they have, they've read all their books, a lot of people don't have big bookcases to store their books. They were just looking for the opportunity to come back here," he said.

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Once they might have sold $400 to $600 in four hours on a Wednesday, according to store manager John Nash.

But now they're selling over $1000 worth of books, he said.

Mr Beaton said it's been an enthusiastic response since lockdown ended.

"They come through the door and say thank God youse are open again fellas! Good on ya's!"

For 40 years the Club has sold books to raise money for charities.

Some of their recent beneficiaries include rural support charity Blazeaid, a school in Tanzania and the Westpac Helicopter Service.