Send Email to Gail at:
storyteller.devos@telusplanet.net
Authors Among Us - Children's Writers Who Are or Who Have Been Librarians
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Gail
de
Vos Send Email to Gail at: storyteller.devos@telusplanet.net |
| Authors Among Us - Children's Writers Who Are or Who Have Been Librarians |
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Featured Titles by Canadian
author Gail de Vos:
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Tales, Rumors and Gossip
ISBN 1-56308-190-3 |
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New Tales for Old
ISBN 1-56308-447-3 |
| Find out more
about Gail de Vos and her books at: http://www.canscaip.org/bios/devosg.html and http://www.yabs.ab.ca/devosg.html and http://www.slis.ualberta.ca/faculty_gdevos.htm |
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| What influenced you to become a
librarian?
went to library school to become a researcher. My first degree is in history and I had always wanted to be able to do research (and get paid for it). Do you have a library/information science degree? I have a MLS from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta Canada What kinds of library positions have you held and where? I have actually never worked in a library (except for my practicum) as I became a storyteller and started conducting workshops and then teaching the storytelling course at the library school in the summer and then in regular sessions as well. How long were you, or have you been, a librarian? I graduated in 1988. Are you currently working as a librarian? No -- I have been teaching in the library school as a sessional and an adjunct since I graduated. Which came first in your life, your
career as a librarian, or writing for children? My interest in storytelling and teenagers was of parallel interest to me. Did your library work have anything to do with becoming a children's writer? No. Did your library work directly influence your work as an author? The research skills that I learned and practiced as a library student certainly did influence my work -- I became passionate about library services for all types of "readers" particularly those that are not always serviced -- the reluctant reader. Did librarianship increase your knowledge of children's literature and influence the kinds of things you chose to write? My research and my school library visits as a storyteller certainly did this. I admit that many of my appearances had to do with the fact that I often spoke at library conferences -- as well as teachers conventions -- and that the network of classmates and colleagues certainly made a big difference. Did incidents from your library work
ever
make it into your books? I do refer to some of the experiences in my books -- but mine are non-fiction so it seems a natural fit. What are the greatest benefits of being a librarian to you as a writer? My understanding of how books and libraries work as well as the research skills that are part of the education. Are there any drawbacks to being a librarian and also a writer? No If you write while working, how do
you
manage the time-juggling act? Even though I am a freelance storyteller and a sessional at the university, I am constantly trying to find time to write -- so I spend my time on weekends, mornings and evenings trying to get a few hours together so I can actually accomplish something. It is frustrating because without the other (storytelling and teaching) I don't have the research material and imputus to do the writing -- but because of them, I rarely have the time. Did you find any conflicts or job-related difficulties in being both a writer and a librarian? This is not applicable as I am encouraged to publish in my job. Do you feel that librarianship has specific benefits to you as a writer? Again, the research skills and the background of libraries are invaluable. |
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Last Updated October 22, 2003