AFTER dedicating 15 years to boosting Thornbury’s readership and catering to its literary minds, the town librarian will shelve his last novel at the end of the year.

Bob Filer, who has worked at half a dozen libraries over the past four decades, will be retiring on Thursday, December 22.

With his A-levels in the bag and no idea what to do with his life, he took a job as a library assistant in Bristol.

He knew immediately he had found his vocation and went on to study at Leeds University before becoming a qualified librarian.

The 63-year-old from Bishopsworth, Bristol, said: "I’m interested in people and when I left school I didn’t fancy becoming a teacher or being stuck behind a desk all day.

"I had always enjoyed doing my homework at the library and I liked to read so I got a job at St George Library.

"This job has variety. Everyday there is somebody different coming through the door with a different problem or query."

Of course, there is much more to being a librarian than human relationships. Bob—and his "loyal staff"—played a key role in ensuring the library move into the twenty-first century.

He added: "I was at Thornbury when computers were introduced in libraries in South Gloucestershire. When I first came here we had the old system of cards which we filed in trays.

"Without my staff I would not have been able to do all the things I did over the years."

Former Thornbury staff member Jackie Roseblade, who currently works at Yate Library will be taking over from Bob as first in command. And the town will be in good hands with this top-notch replacement, according to him.

Ironically enough for a librarian, what Bob is most looking forward to when he retires is put his feet up and finally read his way through the ever-growing pile of books in his house.

Locals are invited to the library on December 21 to say their goodbyes to Bob Filer. But only the first score of visitors will be able to enjoy a ‘farewell’ cup of coffee and mince