Capturing the Heartbeat of Lifeline Canberra: A Photographic Journey Through a Book Warehouse

Behind the Books, the Art of Photographic Storytelling

I photographed the Canberra Lifeline Book Warehouse in 2018 and 2019 for the BookSpaces project. Stepping into this unique space, I was immediately aware of a sense of purpose and energy. There was a rhythm amplified by enthusiastic volunteers who process almost two million books every year. As a photographer, my goal for the BookSpace project is more than just recording scenes; it is about celebrating the places I am privileged to see. I try to reveal the remarkable stories behind these spaces - in this case, Canberra’s beloved Bookfairs and the warehouse where all the preparatory work is done.

Setting the Scene

Lifeline Canberra is part of a national network supporting people in crisis through suicide prevention and mental health advocacy. The Bookfair warehouse, at the core of local fundraising, is a hub where donated books begin a new journey, eventually reaching the hands of readers at Bookfairs and the Book Lovers Lane shop. Annually, over 50,000 book lovers attend these events. Their purchases directly funding the essential telephone counselling services provided by Lifeline.

Donated books ready for assessment and sorting.

The Warehouse: A Photographer’s Playground

Photographing this space required patience, observation, and an appreciation for process. The scale of the warehouse was breathtaking: millions of books processed each year and hundreds of volunteers dedicated to the task. Every volume is sorted, assessed, and prepared for sale. My aim was to celebrate the dedication and skill of these volunteers. Their work exemplifies dedication to, and a passion for, books.

One of the greatest challenges was to visually narrate the journey of books from donation to checkout. The process is intricate and can look chaotic to an outsider. My images sought to trace this journey: the chaos of donated books at the loading bay; the hours spent the assessment area; and the order of vibrant stacks ready for eager readers.

Details that Tell a Tale

Amidst the vastness, it was the little things that told the biggest stories. A Darth Vader mask perched above speculative fiction, whimsical children’s toys peeking out from stacks of picture books, and a colourful array of foodie posters enlivening the cooking section; all these details became focal points for my camera. Each photograph aimed to encapsulate not just the books, but the quirky culture and camaraderie that flourishes within these walls.

Watching over the work of the Science Fiction sorters.

Celebrating Community Through Photography

This location deepened my understanding of how storytelling unfolds across multiple images. Single photographs rarely captured the full spirit of Lifeline’s warehouse, but together, the images paint a portrait of community, compassion, and ingenuity.

Photographing the bookfair warehouse was an exercise in perseverance and gratitude. The experience reminded me that the photographs should be a tribute to the volunteers’ unwavering dedication, to the books that find new homes, and to the vital cause that unites everyone under this expansive roof.

Thank you to all who opened their world to my camera and helped bring this story to life. Through these images, I hope others can glimpse the extraordinary efforts happening every day in support of Lifeline Canberra’s mission.

Packing books for transport to the fair.