Question: How do you build a library with zero book budget?
Answer: With bucket loads of generosity and a crack team of amazing volunteers.
Over our 30 years, we’ve had literally thousands of pre-loved books donated by people. We’ve also had lots of volunteers working with publishers to get complimentary hot-off-the-press books onto our shelves. We’re a Library fuelled by kindness.
Elaine has been our longest-serving book requester, and she seems to have superpowers….
We chatted over a cuppa about her experience of volunteering at GWL.
How long have you been volunteering with us?
I’ve been doing book requests since 2014!
Can you tell us a bit about what you do?
I receive a list of requested books that we’d like to have in our collection, and then I get in touch with the publisher to see if we can have a courtesy copy. I enjoy reading new titles when they come out and I’m always looking out for new books that might be good for the Library. I listen to the radio for book reviews, I watch shows like Between the Covers and Sky Arts Book Club for ideas. I keep an eye out for prize longlists, such as the Women’s Prize and the Booker Prize, and I also get ideas from having a browse around bookshops.
What’s your favourite thing about volunteering at GWL?
I really enjoy the process of requesting the books, getting the books coming in and being able to open them!
Do you have a favourite memory of your time at the library?
Too many to pick from! But I did love the lucky dip/mystery book that we’ve done for World Book Night parties. Books were wrapped in brown paper, you didn’t know what you were going to get!
What do you like reading? Do you have a favourite book, author or genre?
I like Nora Roberts, Diane Chamberlain and Kristin Hannah. I like a lot of historical fiction. That was one of the things that GWL introduced me to – Sara Sheridan’s historical novels.
What would you say to publishers who were thinking of donating books to the Library?
GWL is a great platform for books that you might not find in your local library.
Watch this space for another blog post from Elaine, spotlighting some of the recent books she’s helped to bring to our shelves.
Thank you so much Elaine! We are so lucky to have you as part of our team!
And huge thanks to all of our donors – both individuals and publishers – your support is invaluable.
