10. Jane Shepherd

26 Stories - Jane

When Jane’s family emigrated from England to Australia when she was nine, they were only allowed to pack one book each in the family’s two suitcases.

With very few books at home, when the Council started operating a 'magical' community bus in 1965 it gave Jane and her sister a whole new world on their doorstep.

“My sister and I would lie on the bed and devour our books – books were so important to us.”

However, Jane felt a sense of dislocation after moving to Australia – which is common for those who migrate – and began to borrow books about and set in England.

“It brought the world we left behind closer [to me and my sister] and made us feel more at home in Australia.”

This access to books led Jane to become a librarian as an adult.

Hear more of Jane's story: