Diane Flavin, who has been the manager at Dawlish Library for the past 12 years, will retire soon after 28 years in the library service.

Diane started working in the library in 1993, initially on a 24-hour contract.

She said: "When I started, everything was done on paper.

"People filled in small cards, and had to bring in ID to prove they were who they said they were, and we used to then make them out a little plastic card, which we would later add to a computer - the only kind of computer we had was a very basic system.

"But now, everything is online - you can join the library at home now, and use your library card to access e-books, e-audio, Ancestry Online - all things that the library has put on during Covid, but also a lot of these will carry on when we get back to normal working.

"We've also got public access PCs that we all had to learn how to use ourselves, so that we could help people, and there's things like the business and IP centre and FabLab in Exeter now."

Diane has enjoyed working in the library over the years, and told us some of her favourite moments.

She continued: "There's longevity in working in the library because it's so interesting.

"Every day is different - you don't know what enquiry is going to come in, or even if it's just someone who comes in and you know you're the only person they've spoken to that day - from that point of view it's brilliant.

"Also, there's so much changing and you have to be on your toes and learning all the time. It makes for a very interesting environment to be working in.

"We do lots of community activities, which we did do before but we've kind of expanded since we became a charity, which is another big change."

She is looking forward to her retirement now, but will miss certain aspects of the job.

Diane continued: "I'm looking forward to spending time with my family now. I have three young grandchildren: twin girls who are 18 months, and a grandson who is two.

"I already help out a little bit - it's harder when you're at work, so I'll have more time for them.

"I'll also have more time for my hobbies, like gardening, reading, walking, that sort of thing.

"I think I'll miss just getting up and coming to work, and also the team are lovely here, we get on really well, and it's quite nice to come in and see each other.

"It's nice to see the customers as well, both those who come in a lot, and those who having been coming for a long time - you miss them when they don't come in for a while."

Melanie, who has been working with Diane for about 15 years, said: "If you ask her anything, she'll always know the answer - or who to find it from.

"We've got a lot in common, we've always got something to say; we support each other. That's what I'll miss, I think, the mutual support."