Obituary written by Carol Godden, colleague and friend.

Lucille was Head Librarian at BGS for 15 years, during which time she transformed our collection and the space in which it was housed; down to the font of the quotes and the specific shades of blue and yellow on our walls (and they are very specific). She led a constantly changing team over the years, many of whom went on to be librarians or teachers, sending off little pieces of Lucille into the big wide world, all of whom remember her with great affection and deep respect.

She was warm, friendly, and clearly passionate about books and libraries. Lucille cared about the way people used and moved around our library, the light and absence of it, the way sound carried. Lucille reminded us that an empathetic eye is what makes a place conducive to reading for both pleasure and study.

She was always interested in gaining new knowledge. If something came up that she didn’t know much about, she would educate herself and encourage others to do so as well which would lead to endless debates amongst the library team; from world politics to Stephen King’s best novel.

Lucille introduced World Book Day to BGS, and nothing quite set her off laughing as the students and staff dressing up in ludicrous costumes and completing equally ludicrous quizzes or treasure hunts. Despite famously hating wearing wigs, Lucille would inevitably buy a new one each year for her costume – sometimes with an accompanying beard. She always looked fabulous.

Lucille was involved in many aspects of school life outside of the library including being an ICE rep for support staff for many years, setting up a BAME group for pupils, organising several literary events and fostering a closer relationship between the library and the English department. She also served on SLT for one year and managed Bookstore alongside the library.

Lucille was fiercely proud of her heritage. It’s her hard work that has made our library and school such an inclusive space. Lucille made it so that anyone from any background can walk into our library and find a book that tells their story. She taught us to reflect on our personal experiences, once reminding the school of folklore from her Ghanaian heritage by reading the story of the Sankofa bird. “It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten”. There are always lessons to be learned from ones past experiences and it is never too late to change your mind.

When Lucille was off with her many treatments, she used to say to us she never worried about the library because it was always in safe hands. What she didn’t realise was that this was a testament to her leadership and mentorship. Some of us had the privilege of visiting her in her home in the last few months of her life, and this time was always filled with gossip, cups of tea and, of course, laughter. We will all miss her very much.