The National Marine Biological Library (NMBL), housed in the Marine Biological Association’s historic Laboratory building on Citadel Hill, Plymouth, recently celebrated the outstanding contribution of two of the charity’s most dedicated volunteers who have given 10 years of their time and skills to supporting the NMBL.
The Library has been supported by volunteers for at least a decade and local couple Bernie and Kathy Clare, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last month, have been there from the start. They first started volunteering after finding out about the Library at a Marine Biological Association (MBA) open day in 2016.
“We read the information boards outside the building, which told the story of the MBA, and we were very interested to find out more about the charity,” says Bernie. “The Open day featured various different departments and the work that they were involved in, for example the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey lab; we were blown away by the scale of the operation and how it works.”
Bernie and Kathy were then shown around the Library, an experience that would change their lives for at least the next 10 years.
“We were amazed at the size and all the beautiful and Rare books – we both love books and were interested in the research that the MBA does into the ocean and its life within,” says Bernie. “The then Library Assistant, Emily, gave a talk about what the Library Team were hoping to achieve with the NMBL and the archives and we offered to help in any way in a voluntary capacity. Two weeks later we were invited to go into the MBA and our Volunteer journey started from there!”
The MBA currently has five active volunteers, although there were as many as 12 volunteering earlier this year. In spring, the NMBL marked 100 hours of volunteering so far in 2026 and many more hours have been logged since then. Coming from a range of backgrounds from marine biology students to retirees, the commitment that volunteers make in terms of time and valuable, diverse skills is something for which the NMBL and the MBA will always be grateful.
There’s a Library task to suit everyone
As one of the largest marine reference libraries in the world, volunteering at the NMBL doesn’t just involve cataloguing books – there’s a wide range of fascinating tasks carried out by volunteers to support the library’s facilities which include a Rare Books collection, Print collection, Journal collection, Object collection and Archive.
“Tasks include Rare Books conservation, Print collection cataloguing, social media content creation, helping to update the Herbarium catalogue, Archive research and help with Archive collection care,” explains Library & Archives Officer Kristina Hixon. “The library is staffed by a very small team of two so our volunteers are really key to helping us achieve our plans and projects. The role of the NMBL is to support the MBA’s staff, students, Members and the wider public with access to information on marine biological topics and the volunteers are absolutely integral to achieving those aims.”
A decade of dedication
In their 10 years of volunteering their time to the Library, two projects stand out for Bernie and Kathy. The first was cleaning the Objects, all of which are connected to the work that took place in the labs of the MBA or on oceanic trips. The Objects came from either the Archive or were placed around the MBA.
“This was a large task,” says Bernie. “It involved gentle cleaning, then each one was boxed in a suitable archival box with foam protection and labelled with photographs. All the Objects were then catalogued onto a database.”
The second project, which still continues today, is the conservation and ongoing protection of the valuable books and all books in the Library. The MBA brought in a Conservator to compile a list of books that needed attention and to identify what needed to be done to repair and protect the books. Over the course of several weeks the Conservator trained the volunteers and the Library staff in skills including how to make books shoes (custom-made protective enclosures that support fragile books while leaving their spines visible on display on bookshelves) and boxes to protect delicate books.
“We were taught how to make simple repairs to the paper and pages of the books using conservator materials; it was very interesting. Over the past eight years we have been cleaning, repairing and making the appropriate book shoes or boxes for preservation. It’s a mammoth task!” says Bernie. “We are keen to keep this conservation work up and help as much as we can to preserve the books for future generations. It is an honour to have looked at and handled many beautiful and rare books.”
It’s not only the fascinating tasks and access to training that keep the couple coming back to the MBA.
“One of the reasons that we have enjoyed volunteering for the last 10 years has been the lovely and friendly people that work at the MBA – from lovely Maggie on Reception who always greets us with a friendly smile, to our brilliant manager Kristina who is supportive and helpful to us both,” says Bernie. “All of the staff is friendly and welcoming. We have been privileged to listen to many interesting talks and to be included in MBA Events. We consider it to be a MBA family!”
The couple is also proud of contributing to understanding of marine research past, present and future.
“Being part of a group that is helping to preserve the history of marine biological research to further the understanding of past research, which helps to inform future marine science that is undertaken at the MBA – it makes us feel that we are helping in a small way,” says Bernie.
A welcome surprise celebration
For Bernie and Kathy, the celebration thrown by the MBA team in recognition of their decade of volunteering service came as a complete surprise. Staff and volunteers gathered to thank them, and MBA Chief Executive Professor Willie Wilson gave a speech to mark this remarkable milestone.
“We were so surprised by the unexpected presentation to us both of certificates, card, cake and gifts, it was very kind and thoughtful and something we will treasure always. Thank you to Willie Wilson for the kind words,” says Bernie. “We didn’t expect any recognition, we are just happy to continue as long as we are able and maybe pass on some of our knowledge to the new volunteers that are now joining us.”
If you are interested in volunteering at the National Marine Biological Library keep an eye on our NMBL pages for new opportunities, where we will be advertising for more support in early 2027.
Images c. Marine Biological Association and Bernard Clare.
