After 15 years helping the Cromwell community choose their reading material, Marilou Stroud is excited to be turning the next page.  She retires on Friday, February 24.

It was while she was studying for her Bachelor of Science and Commerce, majoring in Economics, that Marilou discovered her love of library duties, working in the college library as a student assistant.

“I love what I do, I’m passionate about it, it’s not work”, she said.

She loves connecting people with books she thinks they will enjoy.  One recommendation, however, did not go so well. 

“I had a 90-year-old from Ripponburn retirement village ask for something “juicy”. I found her the perfect book I thought, but she came back in quite a state – my idea of juicy was racier than hers”, Marilou said.

Marilou worked in the Queenstown primary school library and just prior to joining the Cromwell library, she worked at Wakatipu College.

She has enjoyed seeing her students from that time grow up and now bring their children in to choose their books.

There have been many changes to library practices in her 15 years, and Marilou said technology has probably introduced the most advances.

“Besides that, what I really enjoy now is the library being the hub of a community.  No more of the “shush, shush” expectations of when I started out.  We have all sorts of people coming in to use the free WIFI or just for a chat”. 

A keen reader, Marilou enjoys suggesting books for the library to purchase.  These are added to a spreadsheet of possible purchases, which is sent onto the collections manager in Alexandra to review and order.

Customers are also encouraged to make suggestions.

Marilou’s reading has changed over the years.  She is no longer interested in reading “sad” books.  

“I read to enjoy a book, not study it. I love to escape, let my mind travel”, she said. 

Marilou’s immediate retirement plans include the garden, spending time with friends and her dog, Moonlight – and time to read - during the day.