UQ Alumni Book Fair

The UQ Alumni Book Fair will be back in 2027

UQ's beloved annual celebration of books is brought to you by Alumni Friends and our dedicated volunteers. 

In 2026, over 10,000 people attended the book fair, raising over $240,000 for student scholarships and research at UQ.

We look forward to seeing you again in 2027.
 

Donating books

We welcome donations of books of all types, vinyl records, posters, DVDs and CDs. Donations for the UQ Alumni Book Fair and Rare Book Auction can be left in the Book Shed, in the car park behind Building 82E, Seddon West, St Lucia campus, any time of day. The Book Bunker is also available for donations at UQ’s Long Pocket Campus, 80 Meiers Rd, Indooroopilly (adjacent to the Banksia loading bay). Please note that the Long Pocket Campus is not open outside office hours.

If you have over 10 medium-sized boxes of books and live in Brisbane, the Book Group may be able to help collect your books from you. To discuss a collection, please call the Book Group on +61 7 3346 3166.

Your donations are very appreciated!

Storybook reading with the Witches of Oz

3 May 2025 10:00am11:00am
The Witches of Oz are joining the Book Fair for reading hour. It’s your chance to meet Glinda – and the so-called Wicked Witch of the West! Be sure to wear your best pink and green outfits

Order your nostalgic UQ class t-shirt

3 May 2025 9:00am5:00pm
For the first time ever, nostalgic UQ class t-shirts with your unique graduation year are available for order.

Mad Hatters tea party

3 May 2025 9:00am10:00am
Join us down the rabbit hole for a tea party with Alice and the Mad Hatter. Bring your little ones to enjoy an hour of whimsical fun featuring games, bubbles and cupcakes.

2025 UQ Rare Book Auction

2 May 2025 6:30pm9:00pm
Join us as dozens of works go under the hammer in 2025, including a first-edition copy of The Handmaid's Tale, signed by Margaret Atwood and books from as early as the 1600s!

Growing kind, curious and clever children: in conversation with Madonna King and Rebecca Sparrow

2 May 2025 5:00pm5:45pm
Join authors Madonna King and Rebecca Sparrow for an engaging and insightful conversation as they explore how children and young people navigate friendships, schooling and the hard work of growing up. Drawing from their new book Out of the Box, they’ll share practical advice and fresh perspectives that every parent will find valuable.

Lakeside Rhythms in the Amphitheatre: 5 sessions and The Sounds of Avalon: Opening Gala

2 May 2025 11:00am7:45pm
The UQ School of Music proudly presents Spectrum, a vibrant celebration of musical artistry showcasing the breadth of talent within the UQ community. From classical to contemporary soundscapes, this festival offers a kaleidoscope of musical experiences across UQ's most captivating spaces.

Win a box of books at the 2025 UQ Alumni Book Fair

18 March 2025 10:30am1 May 2025 11:45am
Register for the Book Fair before 12pm on Thursday 1 May 2025 and you'll automatically go into the draw to win a box of books of your choosing.

Gifts of friendship: rare books and manuscript treasures in the Fryer Library

3 May 2024 6:00pm7:00pm
Hear from Simon Farley, Fryer Librarian, about a selection of treasures held in the Fryer Library including beautiful, rare books and the manuscript papers of great Australian writers including David Malouf, Peter Carey, Thea Astley, and Oodgeroo Noonuccal.
Free event
Location: UQ Centre, St Lucia campus

Spectrum

3 May 2024 11:00am5 May 2024 4:00pm
From classical to contemporary soundscapes, join us for a festival of music at UQ St Lucia. Culminating in a rare opportunity to hear Terry Riley’s pulsating minimalist masterpiece In C, alongside George Gershwin's beloved Rhapsody in Blue, the festival will feature diverse music from Mozart to the music of 2024.
Free event
St Lucia campus - various locations

UQ Alumni Book Fair

3 May 2024 9:00am6 May 2024 3:00pm
More than 110,000 books, magazines, vinyl records, DVDs and other pre-loved goodies will be available at this year’s UQ Alumni Book Fair, from as little as $1, helping us raise funds for UQ student scholarships and research.
Free event
Location: UQ Centre, St Lucia campus

Dine like a literary icon - Patina at Alumni Court

29 April 2024 11:00am3 May 2024 9:00pm
To mark the 2024 UQ Alumni Book Fair (3–6 May), we’re celebrating with the favourite foods of iconic writers, Ernest Hemingway and Emily Dickinson.
Available for lunch Monday 29 April and Tuesday 30 April.
Available for lunch and dinner from Wednesday 1 – Friday 3 May.
Three books with headphones holding them together.

Industry Panel – Recovery in the Arts

29 April 2023 1:45pm4:00pm
Join a panel of Queensland’s cultural leaders as they tackle the tough questions about the future of our arts industries. This free event is being presented by the UQ Centre for Critical and Creative Writing and will be held alongside the UQ Alumni Book Fair.
Fairy reads a book to a child.

UQ Alumni Book Fair: family fun day

29 April 2023 9:00am5:00pm
Join us on Saturday 29 April for a family day at the UQ Alumni Book Fair, including face painting, storytelling and a gelato cart!

UQ Alumni Book Fair® (in person)

28 April 2023 9:00am1 May 2023 3:00pm
More than 110,000 books, magazines, vinyl records, videos, DVDs and other pre-loved goodies will be available at this year’s UQ Alumni Book Fair®, helping us raise funds for UQ student scholarships.

Dine like it's 1747 at Patina at Alumni Court

26 April 2023 11:30am28 April 2023 8:30pm
Want to go back in time? Now is your chance - Patina at UQ Alumni Court is whipping up a 275-year-old pudding recipe and 161-year-old salmon recipe, to celebrate the UQ Alumni Rare Book Auction.

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Volunteering and the Rare Book Auction

Rare Book Auction

The Rare Book Auction is an opportunity for community members and collectors across the world to access rare books and other limited-edition items donated from private collections. 

Funds raised from the Rare Book Auction go towards scholarships, bursaries and research grants to help further the education of students at UQ. In 2025, the UQ Rare Book Auction raised $19,305 for student scholarships, research and educators.

What makes the books so special? It could be their rarity, their provenance, their artistic value, their local historical significance, their academic influence, or even quality of their printing and binding. 

If you’d like to discuss donating a rare book, please reach out to the Book Group on +61 7 3346 3166.

The next Rare Book Auction will be held in 2027.

Volunteer to support the Book Fair

The Book Group donate approximately 10,000 collective hours to make the UQ Alumni Book Fair a success – breathing new life into more than 110,000 books, records and other items. 

Their work is critical to both the University, and the care of our planet, saving thousands of books from landfill every year.

If you’re a fellow booklover who would like to get involved – we would love to hear from you!

Volunteering as a current student

If you're a current UQ student, volunteering at the Book Fair is a great way to expand your skills and knowledge. Each year, the Book Fair organisers engage with more than 200 volunteer students to make the Book Fair a success. If you are interested in being a part of the volunteer team, please contact us to make the Book Fair a success!

To volunteer throughout the year, or at the Book Fair Event, please email uqalumni@uq.edu.au or phone +61 7 3346 3166 between 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

Have a question about the UQ Alumni Book Fair?