CAROLINE HARKER

A two-week holiday, camping in a Luggate backyard, was all it took for the Marshall-Lea family to decide the Upper Clutha was where they wanted to live. That was during the Christmas holidays of 2011.

"We camped at my husband Chris’s sister’s place,” said Eve Marshall-Lea. "It was absolute bliss. We were so grumpy the day we had to leave.”

Eve, Chris and their sons Owen and Cormick (now 14 and 11) moved from their Christchurch home to an old three-storied A-frame house in Luggate two years later. "It’s got beautiful views from every window,” Eve said. "I’ll never get sick of it.”

Before they moved Eve had worked for Youthline and for various companies including one selling fairy lights and another which taught people how to make cheese. She had also been studying extramurally, doing an Information and Library Diploma through the Open Polytechnic. Working in a library was her dream job.

"After the [Christchurch] earthquakes we were living in a caravan with the boys and it got too hard to study so I stopped for a while, but I’ve finished it now.”

Her studies stood her in good stead and two months after moving south Eve got a job as an assistant at the Wanaka Library. Much of her time is spent organising events at the library - and judging by their popularity she’s very good at it. Under Eve’s reign, and with "incredible support” from her boss, library team leader Sue Gwilliam, Eve has produced a huge variety of shows, performances, gigs and exhibitions at the library.

"We don’t want people to think the library is a place where all you can do is borrow books,” Eve said. "It’s a central part of the community.”

Eve’s events over the past three years have included book launches, poetry performances, music gigs, talks and exhibitions. Highlights include a performance by visiting South Auckland poets and a book launch for local children’s author Lucy Davey which brought in a crowd of around 150 people. An exhibition of photographic portraits of 43 Kiwi authors by Maya Moritz was also very popular.

Eve is very focussed on delivering events the community wants - so she’s always talking to people about what would appeal to them. ("All suggestions gratefully received.”)

"We’re making Saturday a family day at the library so we try to have some live music, and some craft activities for the kids.” The next family day (Saturday December 10) will have a Christmas theme and features local choirs. Other events coming up include book launches for two local authors; Helen Herbert (December 3) and Neal Brown (December 8).

Another success for Eve is a foodie book group which has been meeting monthly in the library the past two years. "It’s really popular, especially when we have guest speakers. Next year I’m keen to include cooking demonstrations. Maybe fermented foods. And sushi.”

While Eve’s husband Chris is happily employed at Mitre 10 and also works as a commercial photographer, and their boys are enjoying life at Mount Aspiring College ("We couldn’t move them now”), Eve said she couldn’t wish for more than her present job.

"I love it. The library’s an amazing place to work. And I get to meet so many people. I really want to keep putting on events which will interest people in the community.”

If you have an idea for an event you would like to see at the library email Eve on [email protected].

PHOTO: Chris Lea