LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Dear Netters: Here are the replies that I have received this morning.
Seems like there are several variations on this tale. The story (myth?)
that I heard closely resembles the one related by Patsy Small near the end.
Paulsen has a Trumpet Book Club video and an autobiography "Winter Sun";
perhaps it can be verified right at the source. Please be sure to read the
skeptic's comments at the end. How sad if it is not a true story. Thanks
- you folks are great!
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He also mentions this in the video Trumpet Book Club visits Gary Paulsen.
Anne Hollenbeck hollenbe@tenet.edu
--------
I heard Gary Paulsen several years ago in Syracuse. Seems to me
that he came from a rather poor family and used to go to the library
because it was a warm place and the librarians were nice to him.
After awhile made suggestions for books to read, etc. My memory is
fuzzy also. bartell, Marion" <MBARTELL@rome-clough.moric.org>
--------
I was fortunate to have lunch withGary Paulson and he told of his terrible
childhood. His parents were both alcoholic and he said that it was the public
librarian who took an interest in him and got him to read, he was reading at a
very low level at the time. He also thanked a police officer who would let him
sleep in the patrol car when he could'nt go home. He said the most inportant
people in his life had been librarians and dogs.
Darlene Basone basoneds@ucbeh.san.uc.edu
--------
Yes, Gary Paulsen tells of his rather abusive childhood when his parents
were both alcoholics. When he was about five, he was put aboard a train to
Minnesota to stay with his grandmother for an extended period of time (I
believe his dad was soldiering in WWII and his mother was working in a war
factory.). His grandmother proceeded to "educate" his mother via the mail.
Coming out of the cold, Gary slipped into a building which turned out to be
the town library. The librarian gave him something to read, and he kept
coming back for the "warmth". His expertise level increased until he was
reading Plato, etc.
He owes a lot to that lady.
Dianne Lockridge
dlockridge@district96.k12.il.us
---------
You are absolutely right. Gary gave the same talk to librarians at the
SLMS/NYLA conference in New YOrk. He was one of the most moving speakers I
have
heard in a long time. There were some librarians in the audience who were
upset
about some of his talk. They didn't feel his vocabulary was needed. O well>
Rose Tobiassen
rtobiass@int1.mhrcc.org
---------
Anita,
I was there also and remember his discussing how much of an impact the
library had on him. I also remember him talking about the varied jobs he
had worked at over the years. This was just after he had won the Newbery
runner-up for Dogsong. He said prior to that time, he would mail 30
manuscripts for each new book. After Dogsong he said, "It was like
someone backed a truck up to my house and started unloading money." I
thought that I would remind you of his comment, just in case you had
forgotten it.
*****************************************************************************
Clete Schirra schirrac@icarus.lis.pitt.edu
South Park High School Media Center schirra@calvin.cc.duq.edu
2178 Ridge Road (412) 655-0613 voice
Library PA 15129 (412) 655-2952 fax
---------
He also spoke at our convention. Largest luncheon meeting ever.
He said he would go in the library to wait for his father after selling
papers. He was asked if he would like his own library card. It was the
first thing that was really his. He was astonished that they would give him
one.
He hid behind the furnace in the apartment house and read by the light of
a single bulb hanging over the chair.
The other librarian gave him his first book that he read cover to cover. I
can't remeber for sure, but I think it might have been Jack London.
Hope this helps.
Joyce A. Hintz PDY_ACA_JH@nwoca.ohio.gov
---------
The Trumpet Book Club has a video on Paulsen and in it he talks about
going into the public library and being given a card and how he started
reading 1 book, then one book a week and then more. I'm not sure how you
get the video if you don't have the Trumpet Book Club. One of the media
specialists sent it to me to catalog.
Joie Taylor email: jtaylor@gilligan.esu7.k12.ne.us
----------
I'm afraid I can't add any more details, but only confirm your
memories. He also has an autobiog. of his childhood out (I can't think of
the title -something like Winter Sun - I've loaned my copy out to a friend
who is on vacation - augh!). His childhood was extremely bizarre - a truly
dysfunctional family. I did post it to the NET several years ago, so you
might try searching the archives if you have time. He does talk about how
librarians and books kept him sane.
jamieb@dcn.davis.ca.us
---------
I, too, heard Paulsen several years ago at a Texas Library Assn.
Conference. He didn't intend to get into the story, but followed a
public librarian who had been honored and said he couldn't help himself.
As best as I can recall:
Paulson was by his description a nasty kid who sold papers in bars, but
went into the library to warm up. The librarian talked him in to
checking out a book. It took forever for him to read it, but he kept
going back and reading until he was devouring the books. He said that it
was the first time in his life that an adult took an interest in him,
being the child of alcoholics.
He went on to say that it took a drill sergeant to straighten him out and
many odd jobs led him to a literary career which he lied his way in to.
So he wasn't exactly rehabilitated by the librarian, he was shown that he
was a worthwhile person. It brought tears to my eyes too.
Patsy Small, psmall@tenet.edu
Bandera (TX) H.S. Library
--------
I heard Paulsen recite the same tale at the McConnell Literature Confere
nce in Lexington, KY several years ago. Several of my colleagues feel that his
story is told to suit his audience; i.e. the librarians would become police, m
inisters, teachers, etc. depending upon to whom he was speaking. Interesting t
hought. Lynda Short, LMS The Lexington School lshort1@ukcc.uky.edu.
Anita Mentzer
Annville-Cleona Sch Dist
Annville, PA 17078
lybbym@postoffice.ptd.net
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