WHAT a public library has Tavistock! It was superb when it lay, small, crowded and uncomplaining behind the pannier market. Now in its new site it is magnificent. This glory is largely due to the staff, who are, without exception, bright, cheerful, helpful, and wearing today's Christmas hats, almost frisky!
This morning they excelled themselves by providing coffee, biscuits and mince pies to the weary traveller. It was my particular joy to sit down with three lovely children tucking in, and looking forward to the arrival of Father Christmas. Everyone in the library seemed to be smiling while the efficient work went on. Such a blessed contrast to the days of my youth when a tomb-like gloom reigned and anyone under 86 who spoke aloud was shown the door after one hissed warning from the lady behind the desk who, we all presumed, wore barbed wire next to the skin.
May I, through the medium of your newspaper and surely on behalf of many others who use the library, offer sincere thanks to the staff for everything they do. It is to be hoped that they all have a very happy Christmas holiday and everything good in the New Year.
Finally, councils are more often recognised for what they do not do than for what they achieve. The library committee has produced a wonderful result which certainly deserves our gratitude.
Dr J A M Wright
Haslemere House
Golf Link Road, Yelverton