A LONG-serving librarian had the honour of unveiling a plaque to commemorate Old Marston Library’s 50th anniversary.

Claire Undy, 73, who worked at the Oxford library for 28 years until she retired in 2004, said she felt privileged to reveal the plaque.

“I am the longest-serving librarian to date and I’m very honoured to have been chosen,” she said.

“Everyone who uses the library is delighted we have reached 50 years.

Up to 20 residents and members of the library attended the event on Saturday.

Mrs Undy, of Feilden Grove, Headington, added that it was a milestone event following Oxfordshire County Council’s plans to close the library, announced in January 2011.

Later that year, the county council said that, as a result of cuts, the library would need to be volunteer-run two-thirds of the time to survive.

In September 2011, more than 80 residents joined children’s songwriter Nick Cope in a sing-in to save the library organised by the Save Old Marston Library group.

No further action has been taken by the council to date.

Mrs Undy said: “It would be a shame to close it, which is why this event is so important.

“It’s such a small library that you can quite easily get to know people.”

Old Marston Parish Councillor, Nils Bartleet, said: “The ethos (of the library) has stayed the same. It is such an important part of the community.”