Please introduce yourself.

Hello, my name is Catherine and I am a library supervisor at Harrogate Library. I have worked here for just under two years and my main role is to manage the staff and volunteers, as well as the building. I also plan events and activities, and work alongside our outreach team to create partnerships within the community.

What attracted you to the organisation and role?

I have always enjoyed working in the public sector and have previously worked in Leeds Libraries and at an older person’s charity called OWLS. One of the tasks that I particularly enjoyed was managing the charity’s volunteers and organising their befriending service, so when this role came along which involved working with volunteers and dealing with books, it seemed perfect!

What would you say to anyone thinking of becoming a Volunteer Coordinator/ Manager?

Working with volunteers is so incredibly rewarding and it allows you to meet such a wide variety of people. It is important to know why someone wants to be a volunteer and what their strengths are, so they can be fitted into the right role. It is also vital that volunteers are made to feel valued and they know they are just as important in the running of the organisation as the paid members of staff.

What have you learnt about yourself while in this role?

Every day is different in the library and working with the public means I never know what will be round the corner. I’ve learnt to stay calm and understand that patience and listening skills are key!

Finally, tell us something about yourself that your colleagues would be surprised to know.

I can play the saxophone and love playing around on a drum kit!