| What influenced you to become a librarian, or
to work in a library?
I have always loved books, and like many librarians,
even played library with my dolls when I was a little girl. I was a history
major at Duke (which is only so useful on the job market) so when it came
time to graduate, I knew graduate school was in order.
I remember very clearly sitting on a stool in my parent's
kitchen over Thanksgiving break and saying out loud, "I need to figure out
what to do with my life. What is it that I like best?" The answer
came back swiftly and solidly, "Books." And then I asked, "What kind
of books?" Once again I was quite sure of the answer, "Children's books."
I decided right then and there to become a children's librarian.
Since I was dating a Duke Engineer who was a junior,
I applied to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's library school,
which was only eleven miles from the Duke campus. Only later did I
learn what a highly ranked library school it was. And by the way, I
married the engineer.
Do you have a library/information science
degree?
I have an MSLS from the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill.
What kinds of library positions have you
held and where?
I worked as a school librarian in a Catholic elementary
school in Pittsburgh and as the Children's Librarian of the Dedham Public
Library in Dedham, MA.
How long were you a librarian?
I worked in the school for about a year and a half
and the public library for four years.
Are you currently working as a librarian?
When my first daughter was born, I stopped work to
care for her. I always thought I would go back someday but got busy
with another baby and then my writing. I have used my library skills
to help out in my girls' elementary school library, to serve on library committees,
to conduct story hours and classroom visits, and to speak about the needs
of the school library at PTO workshops. I have also taught classes in children's
literature at a local community college.
Do you plan to continue in the profession?
Why did you leave it?
As I already mentioned, I left to take care of babies
and now am busy with my life as a writer. Although occasionally I think
about going back, I keep quite busy with my writing and school and library
visits. Just don't think I would have time to work in a library
too.
Which came first in your life, your career
as a librarian, or writing for children?
Although I have always written and thought of being
a writer for both adults and children, officially my work as a librarian
came first.
Did your library work have anything to
do with becoming a children's writer?
Yes, being around books gave me the inspiration and
the confidence to begin to write books for kids myself.
Did your library work directly influence
your work as an author?
When I first began to write and send around my stories,
I was certain that editors would grab them because I just knew that I was
writing exactly what was needed. (I still think in some ways that I was but
I guess the editors didn't as I received rejection after rejection!)
But I know beyond this, my library work has influenced and aided my writing
and my public speaking in many ways.
Did librarianship increase your knowledge
of children's literature and influence the kinds of things you chose to write?
Certainly, being around the best books being published
for kids (and some that weren't so great) as well as reading reviews and
critiques of children's literature, inspired my writing.
Did incidents from your library work ever
make it into your books?
Did you ever set any scenes in your books in
the library?
Yes, a chapter book underway at the moment with Dutton
Children's Books, titled for now, LEWIS PIXLEY AND THE STORY BUDDIES, draws
on my years as a librarian as well as my years as a volunteer mother in the
elementary school. The scenes aren't set in the library but they are
based around books and reading, and there is even a media specialist in the
story as well as a wonderful Book Week celebration.
What were the greatest benefits of being
a librarian to you as a writer?
As I've mentioned, the inspiration from being around
splendid children's books. Along with this, my picture book, Purple
Mountain Majesties, demanded research skills I learned in my days in
library school. I am writing other biographies and continue to use
those skills.
Were there any drawbacks to being a librarian
and also a writer?
Well I can't say I've made much money in either field,
not a primary goal anyway but cash in the pocket sure makes shopping more
fun. In the writing world, I get discouraged by delays in publication,
slow responses from editors, and the market driven nature of the children's
book field at the moment.
If you wrote while working as as librarian,
how did you manage the time-juggling act? How did your employment impact on how much you write and
when you did it?
I did a bit of writing while working, but really dove
in while caring for my daughters. So I've balanced writing with carpools
and soccer games and dusting.
Do you feel that librarianship has specific
benefits to you as a writer?
I've added it to cover letters and once received a
cover letter back (by mistake I think) with "children's librarian" circled
in red. Perhaps someone took note! I now do a good bit of speaking
about writing and my book, Purple Mountain Majesties: The Story
of Katharine Lee Bates and "America the Beautiful." Librarians
seem to appreciate the fact that I am one of them and I think it helps make
my presentations to them more endearing.
Tell us about Polonius, your parrot puppet.
Polonius was the name of the real parrot owned by
Katharine Lee Bates. There is a darling illustration of her holding
him on the second to last page of Purple Mountain Majesties.
(I also mention in the text the Parrot Parties she held for her friends and
their parrots.)
When I was researching the book, I corresponded with
Katharine's grand nephew, who remembered the parrot as a boy. He wrote
that Polonius would say, "Where did you get that awful hat?" to the ladies
who visited Katharine. When the book was published, I sent Mr. Bates
a copy and he wrote that more than anyone who had ever written about his
great-aunt, I had "captured her essence." For sure one of the happiest
letters I have ever received.
Books by Barbara Younger:
Purple Mountain Majesties: The Story of
Katharine Lee Bates and "America the Beautiful." Dutton Children's
Books, 1998
She has also published with a friend, Lisa Flinn,
with Abingdon Press. Three of their books are:
Creative Ways to Offer
Praise. Abingdon Press,1993
Hooray for Children's Church.
Abingdon Press,1995
One Morning in Joseph's Garden:
An Easter Story. Abingdon Press.1998
Forthcoming Books by Barbara Younger:
Three books are under contract with Dutton, a chapter
book and two picture book biographies. They don't yet have official
titles and publication dates.
Are there any other comments you would
like to make about librarianship and writing for children?
Only that libraries, librarians, books, and kids rest
happily in my heart every day!
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