Send Email to Richard Bryce at: cdccarol@yahoo.com
Authors Among Us - Children's Writers Who Are or Who Have Been Librarians
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Richard
Bryce Send Email to Richard Bryce at: cdccarol@yahoo.com |
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Authors Among Us - Children's Writers Who Are or Who Have Been Librarians
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| What influenced you to become a librarian?-
After graduating from college I helped my mom open a pre-K in a parochial school. One of the things I had to do was get books for the kids to read. I developed a nice relationship with the children's librarian at my local library and loved hearing how much the kids enjoyed the books I chose for them. A few months later the library had a recruiting day and I went. The rest, as they say, is history. :0) Do you have a library/information science degree? Yes, I do, a Masters from St. John's University in NY (one of the best!) What kinds of library positions have you held and where? I have been a YA librarian in Nutley & Sr. Children's Librarian here in West Milford How long have you been a librarian? I got my first job in July 1997. Are you currently working as a librarian? Yes Do you plan to continue in the profession? YES! I was just named a 2003 New York Times Librarian of the Year! It's a very exciting time. Which came first in your life, your career as a librarian, or writing for children? I've always been a writer and took a creative writing course in Nutley and graduated from the Institute of Children's Literature. The last assignment was a first draft of the first three chapters of my novel for 8-11 year olds. Did your library work have anything to do with becoming a children's writer? Not really, though the more I write, the more I share with the kids Did your library work directly influence your work as an author? No Did librarianship increase your knowledge of children's literature? ABSOLUTELY - and influence the kinds of things you chose to write? - NOT REALLY Do incidents from your library work ever make it into your books? Not yet, though I'm sure many of the kids will! Did you ever set any scenes in your books in the library? Yes. The children's librarian has an important role in the book. This was not always the case but came into being the more I worked with the kids What are the greatest benefits of being a librarian to you as a writer? Being around, and talking to, kids all the time has helped me to learn- and write in- their language. My ICL instructor is very impressed with my ability to write on a level that the kids can relate to Are there any drawbacks to being a librarian and also a writer? Haven't seen any yet If you write while working as as librarian (or did), how do you manage the time-juggling act? I'm having a very difficult time with this part of it. I work full time and am very active in the community outside of work. I find I can usually only write on the weekends, and it turns out being not every weekend either because of commitments. Did you find any conflicts or job-related difficulties in being both a writer and a librarian? For instance, how do your library administration and colleagues view your authorship? They seem pretty positive about it Is it appreciated and encouraged? Are the library patrons/students aware of your writing? Yes. I've included articles I've written as hand outs at parties and have used one of my stories to talk about different endings. Do you feel that librarianship has specific benefits to you as a writer? Can't say, other than I've been exposed to so many wonderful authors and styles of writing I'm sure some of it will be incorporated into my writing. Special quote from Richard Bryce: Don't give up & it's never too late to start! |
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Last Updated January 4, 2004