The unsung heroes of Off the Shelf: Celebrating 34 years of volunteer support

Thousands of readers flock to Off the Shelf each year, filling venues across the city centre with a shared passion for the written word. While a small team works year-round to programme, market and deliver the festival, they can’t do it alone.

For 34 years, Off the Shelf has been supported by a team of wonderful volunteers. Their efforts are absolutely fundamental to delivering the brilliant events that bring the crowds back year after year. Whether they’re checking tickets at the door, helping people find their seats, or assisting visitors at a book signing, every Off the Shelf event is a team effort.

To celebrate the tremendous support of the festival’s volunteers and give readers a behind the scenes look at how events come together, we caught up with two long-standing volunteers to find out what keeps them coming back for more.

Judith Adam, who started out working for the festival through her role in Sheffield City Libraries, couldn’t tear herself away when the time came for her to retire. For writer Akeem Balogun, it was a way to go beyond devouring the books he loved and get a deeper insight into the world of literature and the written word.

For both Akeem and Judith, it’s very much a labour of love

Q: How did you initially get involved with Off the Shelf and what were your reasons for doing so?

Akeem: It was after meeting Geoff Bridges, an unsung hero for writers in Sheffield, at Sheffield Central Library in 2012. This was a year after I started taking writing seriously, and I was looking for a way to be involved in literature beyond reading. Geoff told me about the festival and said that it could give me insight on what established authors are like. I didn’t know literature festivals were a thing, but it was a chance to do something different in an area I loved. I really enjoyed the first few years I volunteered at Off the Shelf, to the point that I couldn’t wait for October to come around – plus it became a way for me to see events for free as well, as I was far too skint at the time to buy any tickets. Looking back, I was fascinated by all of it.

Judith: Off the Shelf originated as a partnership between Sheffield City Libraries and the then Performing Arts Team. During my time as manager of the Lending Services at the Central Library working with Off the Shelf became part of my remit. Happily, this continued when the Festival transferred to the University of Sheffield. When I took early retirement, I knew I would miss my involvement with Off the Shelf. I asked if I could continue as a volunteer and my request was granted.

Q: What keeps you coming back for more?

Akeem: It’s really good to be around writers, the festival’s organisers and the work that occurs in order to make Off the Shelf happen. It’s another way to experience literature, and it’s a pleasure to see readers being in direct contact with authors. I’ve done a few literature events now and a lot of things around my writing, so each year I see the festival with a slightly different outlook. Volunteering reminds me of the wonder I felt when first entering this world and stops me from being too detached from seeing things from that perspective. 

Judith: It is a pleasure to meet and hear interesting writers of such a wide range of fiction, nonfiction and poetry and to hear fascinating issues being discussed. You learn so much.

It is a privilege to be part of such a prestigious festival which is loved by its audiences and acknowledged nationally and beyond. It is a privilege and pleasure to help ensure that the events are well run and enjoyable experiences for the speakers and audiences. Membership of the team has changed over the years but it always was and still is a great team to work with. Between them the members have such a range of skills and knowledge and they make me feel that my contribution is appreciated and valued.

Q: Why do you think it’s important for Sheffield and its established and up and coming writers to have a literary festival in the city?

Akeem: It’s a bridge between books, readers, writers and much more. What surrounds books can seem a bit mystical or even highbrow. The festival makes all of this a bit more palpable, and for up-and-coming writers, it can bring dreams and passions into the realm of possibility by giving them a chance to meet and see professional authors in grounded settings. For the city’s established authors, it gets them outside! It’s an opportunity for them to connect with local readers and a reminder for many of them that there are always people who are new to their work. 

Judith: Anything we do to highlight the pleasure and importance of reading is to be valued. It’s good to be reminded of the talented writers within our city, to show our appreciation of them and for Sheffield writers to be in the same festival as nationally and internationally acclaimed writers.

Q: OTS has always been ardent in its support for local talent and those who may not find a platform elsewhere – how important is this for the festival and the literary scene more broadly?

Akeem: It’s grown in this area as the festival has got bigger, and I think it’s a far more distinct part of it than it used to be. It’s super important; a lot of local talent might feel bigger activities around literature are closed to them, out of reach, or even impossible to be a part of. By bringing in local talent, OTS is enabling them to experience literature on a greater scale. It’s important for OTS as it keeps the festival genuinely in touch with the city, which means the festival’s also perceived that way by Sheffield.

Judith: My replies to the previous question apply here and I would add another point. Such writers may well go on to become household names so Off the Shelf can take some credit for recognising their potential, giving them that platform and bringing them to the attention of audiences.

Q:What are your highlights from over the years?

Akeem: Too many to count. I remember very educational ones around day dreaming, food and money that I would have never even thought about looking into if it wasn’t for volunteering. Three events that stand out were Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, Richard Ford and Nick Clegg. I remember the atmosphere of those events and how hooked the audience were on what was being said. I also vividly remember seeing Caryl Phillips and Lemn Sissay for the first time in my early years volunteering. Volunteering for so many events over the years means I’ve been able to bring friends to several that are on topics that interest them. These are people who may never have known about OTS otherwise, and they’ve always enjoyed coming. Seeing how fulfilled they are afterwards is very pleasing. 

Judith: There are so many I shall have to select! Jane Glover (Musician); Joanne Harris; Dr Hilary Page; Judith Miller; Mick Ashworth; David Templeman; Christopher Lloyd; Angie Hobbs; Joe Shute; Lady Hale; Kate and Toby Oliver; Christopher Somerville; Toby Wilkinson; Dr Amir Khan; Jane Robinson; Mary Beard; Mary Grover; Annie Gray; Alwyn Turner; Jane Chomeley; Somali Poetry event; Fiction mornings / afternoons.

Q: If you could pick one writer to appear at Off the Shelf in years to come, who would it be? 

Akeem: I’d love to see Richard Ford again. He’s quite old now so not sure that’s a possibility. Otherwise, I’d want to see Ted Chiang or literary consultants Aki Schilz and Lorena Goldsmith. 

Judith: Alexander McCall Smith

Q: Do you have any other reflections?

Akeem: I’ve learned there can be a lot of versatility in literature festivals. They can create many opportunities for creativity: whether that be in specially curated events that go beyond literature, bringing in artists to create the year’s visual theme, through creative competitions or even through the use of unique venues. There are events I’ve volunteered for where I didn’t have much of an initial interest, but I’ve always been pleasantly surprised when I go. The festival also excels at bringing people together who might not otherwise meet – a key feature that’s often overlooked, yet one of its most appealing qualities.

Judith: Sometimes an event which didn’t particularly appeal initially turned out to be a very pleasant surprise – interesting and enjoyable. I hope the city will continue to recognise the value and importance of Off the Shelf and support it.

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