New chapter for retiring librarian Rosemary

Tuesday, February 5th, 2013

Woburn Sands Library bids farewell to one of its long serving and very popular members of staff Rosemary Grout who after 31 years of service, and at the age of 70, has decided to enjoy a well earned retirement.

Rosemary has witnessed many changes to the library during her careers including the first computers which were installed in 1988.

"I greeted them with some trepidation", she said, "as I was a complete novice where they were concerned. However with some training it all seemed to go quite smoothly and now I don’t know how libraries managed without them".

Rosemary has also been around to celebrate both the 25 years and then 50 years birthdays of Woburn Sands Library and then in 2012 the move from the Friends Meeting House in Hardwick Road to the Institute in the High Street.

Although Rosemary loves the much busier, brighter new library she admits to missing being able to have coffee in the graveyard on hot summer days!

She added: "I have thoroughly enjoyed working with all the library staff over the years in Milton Keynes Library Service and I now look forward to seeing the service from the other side of the counter.”

Paul Sanders, Milton Keynes Council’s Assistant Director, Community Facilities, said: “Rosemary has served the Woburn Sands community for more than a quarter of a century.

“As she acknowledges, times have certainly changed and she has seen things come and go. She is no doubt a very well known personality in the town and will surely be missed.”

Cllr David Hopkins, Cabinet member for libraries, local ward member, and Mayor of Woburn Sands added: “We’re very grateful for Rosemary’s tireless efforts over the years. She has been a much appreciated asset to the library, helping thousands of people who have come through the doors in more than 30 years.

“We wish her a very happy retirement and good luck in whatever she chooses to do next.”