A FORMER librarian was granted one of her final wishes after she was given a guided tour of Bromsgrove Library to reconnect with her past career and lifelong love of books.
When the team at Bromsgrove’s Chandler Court learned former librarian Sheila Oliver, 91, was keen to revisit a library, they were determined to make her wish come true.
Sheila left school at 16 and began her career at Birmingham Central Library, before leaving to raise her first child.
Although she no longer worked in libraries, her passion for reading never faded.
The team at Chandler Court arranged a guided tour of Bromsgrove Library for Sheila, giving her the chance to see how libraries had evolved over the years.
She also browsed historical books, used the traditional date stamper and learned how library systems have become fully computerised and barcoded.
A highlight for Sheila was joining a baby sing-along and play group.
Sheila said: “I enjoyed my day talking to the staff, looking around the library, seeing how different it is today and learning about the services now on offer.
“I loved the baby group activity as, back in my day, no children were allowed in the library and everywhere was very quiet.”
Joleen Rayner, Chandler Court home manager, said: “Sheila regularly talks about her time working at Birmingham Library.
“She recalls how her then-boyfriend John, now husband, would pick her up after work at 8.15pm when the library closed for the night.
“Sheila had so much fun walking around Bromsgrove Library.
“She was delighted to see how libraries have become thriving, chatty community hubs.
“A big thank you to the team and everyone at Bromsgrove Library for arranging the visit.”
