DOZENS of people have turned out to bid a library assistant farewell her stint of more than four decades among the same bookshelves.

An open day was held at Sedgefield Library this week to give borrowers and regular visitors the opportunity to say goodbye to staff member of 43 years, Ann Beamson.

The 60-year-old will begin her retirement tomorrow after carrying out her last shift at the Front Street library today.

Ms Beamson, of Trimdon Village, said: "I hadn't realised how many people's lives had been touched by me. Leaving is bittersweet.

"It's good for my family because they will spend more time with me, though I would like to be here until I dropped if I could. But the time is right."

At the age of 16, in 1974, Ms Beamson applied for a position at Darlington's Crown Street Library and worked there for a year.

She had been inspired to pursue a career among books as a little girl.

"When I went to Trimdon Library the librarian threw me and my friend out for giggling," she said. "I thought it was such a good thing, to have that power, and thought it was for me."

When a position came up at Sedgefield Library in 1975 the teenager jumped at the opportunity to transfer in order to cut out her daily one-hour bus commute.

In the last near half century, Ms Beamson's job has evolved to suit the modern world while the role of the library in the community has transformed.

"There have been so many changes" she said. "They've invented computers so I had to learn how to use them.

"When I started there was a sort of strict silence policy and we could throw people out.

"Over the years that has changed and it's become more of a social and what I call a 'shush' place."

Ms Beamson hopes the library will continue to grow and expand without her.

"Libraries offer company - sometimes people come in for a chat as well for the books," she said. "We've got computers if people need them as not everybody has them at home.

"The library has evolved into being lots of things."

Senior assistant duty officer at Sedgefield Library, Katie Burkill was trained up by Ms Beamson ten years ago and after a short period in another role, she returned two years ago.

Speaking of her mentor's departure, Ms Burkill said: "I don't know what I'm going to do without her. She's my left and right arm.

"She is the library and I'm worried the building would crumble without her."

Ms Beamson is planning to use her retirement to spend more time with her partner, mother and brother.