As part of our work to highlight the contributions of people whose work involves or supports volunteers, we met up with Gail Squires, who has been a volunteer with Ripon Library Action Group (RLAG) since its formation in 2017 – and is now also one of the Group’s trustees. We asked her about her love for volunteering and also found out a little something that not many people know!

Please introduce yourself

Ripon Library Action Group was formed in 2017 when the then North Yorkshire County Council reorganised its library provision. Ripon Library is a hybrid library that has permanent paid staff supported by a team of volunteers.

I have been a volunteer at Ripon since it became a hybrid library. In my role, I assist the staff by ensuring that:

• returned books are correctly shelved
• reserved books are processed using the computer system
• books are picked for reservation requests – including those for housebound users and book groups
• new library members are welcomed and signed up.

I also help with numerous types of enquiries, keep the library tidy and carry out anything else the staff ask me to do!!  I am also now a Trustee of the Ripon Library Action Group (RLAG)

What attracted you to the organisation and role?

I became involved in volunteering at the library because, at the time, I was responsible for collecting and returning books for a reading group I had joined. I had just moved to part-time working hours and I wished to help to ensure that the library continued to provide its many important services.

What would you say to anyone thinking of becoming a volunteer?

When thinking of becoming a volunteer, I feel it is important to do something that you have an interest in, be it outdoors, creative arts, performing arts, befriending, becoming more involved in the local community, etc.

Find the organisation or person that can provide more information and even try out various different areas to find the one that is most suited to your interests and the time that you are able to give.

The best piece of advice given to me, once I had decided where to volunteer, was: ‘If not sure of anything – ask!’.

Finally, please tell us something about yourself that your fellow volunteers would be surprised to know

Whilst not a spring chicken myself, I have always been active, which keeps me out of mischief.  I spent my early working life nursing and then latterly in administrative roles working around my family commitments.

I enjoy keeping fit, particularly swimming, so much so that in 2015 I swam in Lake Windermere as part of the Great North Swim with my daughter raising money for the Royal British Legion and St Michael’s Hospice.

I sing in a local community choir, love animals (especially dogs), enjoy helping to look after my grandchildren (getting into mischief) and cooking – I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Michel Roux Jnr. Oh, and I am married to a former England and British Lions Rugby player!