Trustee

The Trust, which is an independent body regulated by the Charity Commission, controls and manages a charitable endowment established by Sir James Reckitt in 1892. This endowment exists to help develop public library provision throughout the city of Kingston upon Hull.

The projects and activities funded by the Trust are designed to stimulate a love of reading and learning, particularly among children and young people, to encourage those who might not normally use public library services to do so, and to raise awareness of what modern public libraries can offer. In the past fifteen years it has made grants amounting to more than £6 million to support the development of a wide range of innovative library services in Hull.

The Trust has also developed a strategic consultancy role, and in recent years has made a series of bold interventions into thinking about the future of public libraries. Our views have attracted national and international interest. Our recent efforts to implement this strategic thinking involve the movement “Curiosity”, through which we aspire to foster a connected array of initiatives, events and activities, projects and organisations, dedicated to allowing a sustainable culture of curiosity to develop.

As a Trustee you will use your specific knowledge and expertise to assist the Board of Trustees to make sound decisions about the management of the endowment and the award of grants. You will be expected to contribute to the management of the Trust, to help implement its strategic initiatives, and to act as a champion for both the Trust and public libraries. You will need to become familiar with the Trust’s strategic thinking and represent the Trust in activities and communication relating to Curiosity – https://jreckittlibrarytrust.co.uk/projects/curiosity-hull