Maidenhead Library celebrates long standing employee for 50th anniversary

Not long after Maidenhead Library first opened its doors in 1973, Paul Noakes started his career in local libraries.

Paul began his career in local library services 44 years ago, initially starting out with a work experience place at Slough Library while he was at school.

Shortly after leaving school he accepted a library assistant post in Slough and ‘the rest as they say is history’.

Since then, Paul has worked in other roles, including senior library assistant, senior advisor, library supervisor and area manager.

He is now based at Maidenhead Library and working as the team leader for information, digital and logistics for the Royal Borough’s libraries.

Speaking about what he loves most about his job and Maidenhead Library, he said: “I really love seeing how busy our libraries get especially at Maidenhead Library and seeing children’s rhyme and storytimes, groups like the Knit and Natter and how we offer support to people from digital to community officers giving advice to residents and the recent job fairs.

“Then customers just browsing and find their latest favourite authors. I really enjoy working with my team who support me helping customers and trying to improve the services we offer.”

Looking back at his 44 years working at libaries, he said: “The internet and computers have replaced old fashioned library tickets and tokens called the Browne Issue system.

“What has stayed has been the core product that we offer – books and I suspect that real books will last forever and be a core of libraries in the future.”

Paul added libraries are ‘centre of the community’ and added: “The thing with the library is that it offers free impartial advice and sign-posting, and customers know that there is no judgement.”

He said his biggest achievement was when he was library supervisor at Windsor Library.

He explained: “It will be the opening of the new Windsor Library moving from its old location in St Leonards Road which was the converted Co-Op to its present home in Bachelors Acre.

“I enjoyed working on and seeing a big project from start to finish.

“At times it was very hard work getting everything in place in time for the scheduled opening and then the official Royal opening a couple of months later but the finished library and the incredible use that it had from day one was worth it.”