Librarian's love of books led to lifelong mission

Lorraine Harris started her journey as a librarian in Henley in 1977, aged just 17.

Now, nearly 50 years on she continues her librarian duties across sites around South Oxfordshire.

“When I was seven, I read a book at school called ‘I want to be a librarian’ and decided that’s what I wanted,” she said.

 It really was that simple: a teenager, with “virtually no qualifications” her father encouraged her to take up a typing course at Henley College. She agreed — under one condition — she would volunteer one day a week at Henley Library.

 Now 65, and based in Wallingford, Mrs Harris said she is spurred on by the desire to increase library access to all parts of society.

 “I like bringing the library to people who may not necessarily feel comfortable there,” she said.

 “I grew up in Chalgrove and there was a mobile library which came out to school, but other than that, I didn’t have much access.”

 Back in 1977, Henley Library was in the town hall and was subject to many trials and tribulations.

 Mrs Harris added: “I remember once we had an awful spell of rain and the children’s area of the library, which was in the basement, flooded.

 “We had to bring all the books up to ground level — I was told it wasn’t an uncommon event.”

 After a year’s worth of experience at Henley Library, she took up a role in the library at Oxford Polytechnic and aged 21, she was able to study her first degree in Social Sciences at The Open University.

 Juggling raising a family and paying a mortgage, Mrs Harris worked in several office jobs over the years, before returning to the library through her work at Huntercombe Prison, where again, she focussed on making people comfortable with the library space when it was something unfamiliar to them.

 She started at Oxfordshire Libraries in 2003, where she remains, albeit part-time, thanks to four grandchildren who keep her busy. A few years later, aged 53, she went to study her Master’s in Library Studies at Aberystwyth University. “I remember standing on top of a cliff there thinking ‘I’m here, I’m fully qualified,” Mrs Harris said.

But how have libraries changed over the years? Firstly, librarians are now called by their first name, Lorraine said. “We also have a huge online presence and a much wider audience, and there’s loads going on for children,” she said.

And the most important question for a book worm — what is her favourite novel?

“I’m a massive Agatha Christie fan, having read her books a million times over”, she said.