After 18 years working for Whanganui's District Library, Carol Tong has chosen to retire.
It was her daughter in Australia who persuaded her to stop.
"Don't keep going Mum until I come to your funeral the day after you leave work."
Her first day at the library was July 12, 1991, when
she started work as acquisitions librarian, working under Barbara McKnight.
She leaves the job as volunteer / home service co-ordinator, a job she took on, on top of other duties, in 2010, a job that became fulltime last year.
"The dedication and energy that Carol has put into this role has been enormous," says Sandy Nepia, heritage and community services manager. "And I know the home service is a success due to this. The relationships that Carol has helped build with agencies and retirement villages: Jane Winstone, Broadview, Virginia Lodge, Caversham Village, Nazareth, New Vista, Kowhainui, Lady Joy, Masonic Court, Quinlan Court, as well her input with Age Concern and the Positive Aging Forum, which was run through the Whanganui District Council.
"To date we have 114 home service customers."
Library manager Pete Gray summed it up when he spoke to Carol.
"We'll miss you. The home service has been your creation, your baby from the start."
The home service was started with the help of a bequest from Jo Duncan, daughter of disgraced mayor Charles Mackay. In spite of that history, she gave her entire estate to the Whanganui District Council.
"I think it's exactly what Jo Duncan had in mind in terms of the service we would deliver: it would actually be a service being delivered to people who can't get to the library."
Former district councillor and former library board member Sue Westwood says Carol has given in the same spirit as the original bequest.
"It's not about Carol, to Carol, it's about what Carol's been able to bring to the job and develop from the generosity of the Jo Duncan estate.
"[Carol's] kind of commitment and passion isn't easily replaced, and it's not just the passion Carol has expressed, it's the recipients of the service and how they have responded and how they value it. We have an ageing population where the demand is going to get greater, and it needs a commitment from council to ensure its continuation."