Philip Buttifant
Visitors to Torquay Library will often find Philip Buttifant settled in his favourite chair, deep in a history book.
The former hospital worker visits the library two or three days a week and is passionate about the role it plays in his life and the life of the community.
"As you walk through the door you'll see three comfy chairs and my favourite is the middle one," says Philip, 56, who used to work on the admin side at Torbay Hospital but is now retired on medical grounds. "It's got a view through the window, and it's next to the crime section. If the chair is free I spend a very happy couple of hours there two or three days a week, looking at the new books I've come in to pick up.
"One of the great things about Libraries Unlimited is that you can reserve books from all over Devon, they arrive in a few days and I get a text to tell me they're there. So I am always taking books back and collecting my next order.
"I moved to Devon from London in 2008, walked past the library and thought well I may as well join, and I've been going regularly ever since. I walk with a stick now and it takes me about 20 minutes from my house. I don't want to spend all my time on my own at home, and at the library everyone chats. The staff are all so friendly, and I've got to know other customers as well. They're all such lovely people.
"I joined the Book Club and I've been to some author talks. There are so many activities there, from children and their parents singing, which I love hearing, to homeless people getting a free hot drink and support. It's a real community. And I love it when they do a special display – for example at the moment it's the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth so there is a display of her novels, books about Regency fashion and other related topics.
"I was brought up in Solihull and taken regularly to the library by my mum. My parents didn't read books much so that means I could borrow more books on their tickets! I went to study modern history at Oxford University and discovered the amazing Bodleian library which contains the incredible Duke Humfreys Library. The collection dates from the 15th century and I was studying medieval history at the time – I felt so privileged to be able to look at those books.
"Actual history books and historical novels are still my favourites although they need to be properly researched. Philippa Gregory is probably my favourite – she really knows her stuff. But fantasy novels are a guilty pleasure – my Desert Island Discs book would probably be Lord of the Rings. I first read it when I was 10 and have probably read it again most years since then.
"I have terminal cancer and I have decided to leave £10k in my Will to Libraries Unlimited, specifically to help Torquay Library in any way they want. It has given to so much to me, and I want other people to continue to be able to enjoy it as much as I do."
