Island librarian Eleanor Wheeler retires to read to her grandchildren.

On the cusp of retirement, Bainbridge librarian Eleanor Wheeler is finding that parting is sweet sorrow.

But at this point in life, the pull of what lies ahead is greater than her love for her job.

“At 64, I said I’d retire at 65. I’m now 67,” said Wheeler, a former teacher who has worked at the library for almost 14 years. “A big part of me doesn’t want to do this. I’m glad I feel that way about it.”

Wheeler has loved libraries from the time she was little, and the highlight of her career is “the people contact. To see the kids come in and turn into adults right before your eyes, especially some of the kids that were really, really good patrons. It’s just neat to see them growing into responsible young adults.”

She added, “There’s just no better place to work. You have to make decisions. It’s you and your customers.”

Wheeler was a military wife for a number of years and moved frequently without much notice.

When it came time to plant roots 27 years ago, she and her husband, Phil looked around and chose Bainbridge – attracted by the schools for their two children and the feel of the island.

“It’s changed,” she said. “But it’s still the best place we’ve ever seen.”

Prior to delving into bookshelves for a living, Wheeler taught second and fifth grades.

Her rapport with children of all ages has made her a successful librarian, even if she lacks the usual master of library science degree. Cindy Harrison, the managing librarian, brought Wheeler into the fold.

“We will miss her a lot,” Harrison said. “She is a very special part of the library.”

Harrison attributes Wheeler’s success to “having the soul of a teacher…and profound respect for young people. She empowers parents to help their children and really makes the time to help people use the library.”

Harrison noted that Wheeler has used technology to do a better job of connecting people and information.

And, Harrison added, she is a great idea person.

Wheeler is the mastermind behind grouping together the “Magic Treehouse” books and other series aimed at first-and second-graders. The “stepping-up” collection, Harrison said, “is unique to Bainbridge at this point.”

The books are for children who are not ready for lengthy chapter books, but they have a vocabulary beyond picture books.

“Eleanor really urged Sharon (Snyder, the Young People’s librarian) on this and the whole department bought into it quickly because it’s such a big idea,” Harrison said. “Before, they were mixed up in the collection.”

When Wheeler started working at the library, she split her time between the main collection upstairs and the downstairs young people’s section.

“I found it hard. You never feel a part of either place,” she said. “If people want a suggestion…you’re not as effective either place. I traded out the time upstairs. For several years, it’s been all downstairs.”

The library was much smaller when she first moved to the island. She worked there through the expansion and was pleased with the results.

“For the size of the population, this is really a very nice facility. Having the downstairs is perfect. Other people are envious. It makes a very comfortable place for kids,” she said.

Although tax money supports books, salaries and transportation costs between Bainbridge and Poulsbo, Friends of the Library is responsible for procuring the luxuries that wouldn’t come out of a normal library budget, she said.

“Friends of the Library acquired new shelves for the kids through book sales. They are very supportive,” she said. “The island is terrific for the teamwork.”

According to Snyder, Wheeler has been an integral part of the team.

“She created an excellent listing of the categories/subjects/themes of interest to young people that is used by library visitors and staff on a daily basis.”

Wheeler’s “dedication, instinct for quality and resourcefulness have helped to create the rich collection of children’s literature our library now offers,” Snyder said.

Working has kept Wheeler away from a lot of the things she likes doing, including spending time with her family, various hobbies and, naturally enough, books. She is ready to tackle her list of retirement options.

“I’ve gotten hooked on genealogy. There’s a really great group that meets at the library, and I’m totally enjoying that,” she said. “And sorting pictures and working on scrapbooks are things I am doing that I can pass down to the next generation and the next generation after them.”

Wheeler also will devote more time to “playing around on the computer and working in the garden. I hope to get to some of the (community) meetings, political and cultural. ”

But these activities don’t hold a candle to Wheeler’s main desire: spending more time with her son and daughter-in-law’s 5-year-old twin grandchildren, a boy and a girl who live in Issaquah.

“I do love reading to those grandchildren,” Wheeler said. “I love to read and I’ll continue to do that. I will be a regular visitor to the library. I’ll make a list of the suggestions I’ve made for others.”

Wheeler enjoys historical and Elizabethan mysteries and historical fiction in general, with an emphasis on genealogy, and politics.

“Just things to think about from time to time,” she said. “I like a little more action on the whole. I’m on the reserve list for the new (British mystery writer) P.D. James. We (librarians) have to get in line like everyone else.”

Wheeler’s last day on the job is Sept. 29, but she won’t have a lavish send-off.

“I’d really like to have a party with all of the people who have come through. And if anyone is left out, well then, I don’t want a party,” she said. “But I hope everyone comes to say good-bye.”