Avid readers of all ages gathered at Mattapoisett Library on Wednesday evening to say goodbye to retiring children’s librarian Linda Burke.

Burke’s last day is June 30, but library staff and the community wanted to have a chance to give her the proper send off.

“Families love her and she loves them. That’ll be really hard to replace,” Library Director Susan Pizzolato said. “She has a wonderful work ethic, and as a co-worker she was always great to collaborate with.”

The impact Burke had on the town’s families was evident, as she stood at the front of what could pass as a post-wedding ceremony receiving line. College students came back with hugs to say farewell, and younger children handed over homemade cards and bouquets of flowers.

“It was overwhelming,” Burke said. “It was very, very special.”

Burke started at the Mattapoisett Library in March 2003, more than 14 years ago. She had previously worked at the library in New Bedford, and noticed an immediate difference when she got to Mattapoisett.

“People in Mattapoisett knew what they were doing in the library,” she said. “They understood the importance of reading. They were asking for specific books.”

Her favorite part of working at the library was getting the chance to read to children during storytime.

“When you sit down and look at the sea of faces looking at you with anticipation,” she said. “You get to a certain point and you make them wait until they say, ‘Turn the page Mrs. Burke!’ That is the best part of it…That’s the reward.”

The children of Mattapoisett agree, as Ella Gillen said “Mrs. Burke was always really good at storytime.”

Burke said she was touched by the people who came by to say goodbye, including children she had watched grow into college graduates.

“I didn’t have a librarian that was warm and fuzzy growing up,” she said. “So that’s what I wanted to be.”

As for what’s next, Burke said she just wants to take the time to relax and cross some things off her bucket list.

“This is the first summer I’ve had off in 20 years, so I’m going to enjoy the summer,” she said. “I don’t want to miss my opportunity to do some things that have been on my list for a while. You can wait too long for things to happen and then miss the opportunity.”

However, the New Bedford resident said she’ll never stop visiting Mattapoisett.

“I want to let people know how much they have made me feel welcomed and a part of this dear little town,” Burke said. “Everyone takes care of each, they look out for each other. It has been overwhelming the warmth they have given me.”