HISTORIAN Lesley Kipling has retired after more than 40 years as a librarian in Huddersfield.
Lesley, who joined the then Huddersfield Council's library service in 1962 as a junior, was presented with gifts by Catherine Morris, assistant head of library services for Kirklees.
They included a set of mixing bowls, a silver pendant and a goat - which Lesley is sponsoring to help villagers in Africa.
Lesley, who lives at Golcar, spent most of her career in the local history library at the public library at the Piazza.
She is the author of several books and pamphlets on local history, mainly focusing on the town's radicals, including the Luddites.
Recalling her career, she said: "There have been a lot of changes over the years.
"When I started there was a very strict dress code. Women librarians were forbidden to wear trousers, unless they were in the mobile libraries - and only then if the weather was wet or cold."
Lesley said one of the biggest changes was the popularity of family history.
She said: "At one time the only people who used to research family history were academics or people with interesting and extensive ancestry, such as the wealthy families of the town.
"Now, lots of people are interested."
Lesley will remain a familiar figure at the local library - researching for her latest books.
She has been asked to write a short history of Linthwaite and members of Elland Historical Society have asked her to pen an historic walk of Almondbury.
Lesley is also researching for a new book on the condition of the working class in Victorian Huddersfield.
She also plans to spend more time baking cakes and travelling.
