Elizabeth Yates

The years went by--maybe seven or eight. Working for a degree in Library Science at Catholic University, I faced the problem of finding a research topic for a major paper required for the degree. I took up a dozen ideas with enthusiasm to begin with, but I soon abandoned them one by one. Four summers passed and my mind was blank and so was that first page of my paper. I then met a fellow student who showed a great deal of enthusiasm about her topic, which was a bio-bibliography of an author. It sounded interesting, besides it seemed easy enough. I thought to myself: "Now, why can’t I do something like that with ---ELIZABETH YATES" The name just popped out of my head as though it had been lodged on some spring board that had been released by a switch.

Enchanted by this new idea, I began a search in the library to test the substance of this new brain wave. I became very excited as I found articles and books written by Elizabeth Yates. The more I read of her works and about her, the more I became enthusiastic about taking her as a topic for my research. The problem that soon became apparent was "Would I find enough material?" When I presented the topic for approval my director immediately tried to discourage me. "Who is she anyway?" I then explained that she was an author still writing and living in New Hampshire, that she had won the Newbery Medal as well as other awards. Still he did not think this was a feasible topic. He explained that work on a living author could never come to a satisfactory conclusion as there would always be something new coming out year after year. He was right in a way, but I had my heart set on this topic, so I began a little battle to win my case. I had to construct a bibliography for a reference course I was taking at the time, so I decided to use Elizabeth Yates as the subject of my bibliography. Then I could submit the results of a more extensive research. My director accepted this idea. "Great," he said, "we will then decide when we see the results."

Then as a honeybee gets into every flower to seek its sweet nectar, so did I search into every possible book I could think of to find the name Yates, Elizabeth. The highlight of my research came when I took up The National Union Catalogue of Manuscript Collections . It was like finding a map to a gold mine as there was that name again leading me to a collection of papers, manuscripts, letters etc. housed in the special collection room at the Boston University Library.

By the time I was ready to type out my three by five cards, I had arrived at quite a stack. Even then my director did not seem very enthusiastic about my topic. At any rate, I prevailed upon him with the prospect of that special collection which was available to me at Boston University. Also I explained that I hoped to be able to get an interview with the author who resided in Peterborough, which is a short distance from Nashua, NH, where I was stationed at Rivier College. Finally the authorization forms from the office were filled out and signed, giving me the green light to go ahead on my paper. Now I could begin to work in earnest.

Being a full-time librarian, the work progressed at a very slow pace. Little by little I managed to get quite a bit done. I took a few trips to Boston in order to examine the contents of the boxes of the Yates Collection. Mr. Gotlieb, the procurator of the special collection library, was most helpful. My work was so fascinating that the hours spent there seemed like minutes! My little three by fives grew to a mighty stack.

To meet Elizabeth in person for the first time was an exciting experience for me. This happened when she came to give a talk to a group of Education majors on our campus. During the lecture, I was able to examine her as a person and as a speaker. Her whole person radiated deep peace and happiness. A tenderness for all of God’s creation was apparent in her way of talking about animals and things. She spoke about her new book, An Easter Story. She immediately gained the attention of her audience and held it captive until the end. She gave me the impression of a person who was disciplined but also very humble and accessible. After the lecture I approached her to reveal my project of the bio-bibliography I had undertaken, with the hope of having an interview with her. She seemed to be pleased and promised to see me at some time.

My first visit to Shieling (her home) was in May. She received me warmly into her lovely eighteenth century home. She allowed me to look through a box of papers containing articles and other information which she would eventually forward to Boston University. I had brought along a few of her books which she autographed for me. Nora Unwin, her illustrator of many books, was there also and autographed the books that were illustrated by her, adding to her signature a few flourishes of her delicate art. Before my departure Elizabeth served tea with delicious home made sugar cookies. I was enchanted by that first visit. I was fortunate to have a few other interviews with her as I progressed in my work.

Occasionally, I would send a draft of my paper for her approval. Each time, she would return it promptly with her comments and the corrections she judged necessary. This helped me to finish on time so I could present my paper as a requirement for my degree in Library Science. As soon as the paper was typed and approved, I forwarded a bound copy to Elizabeth Yates as her very own. I received a warm word of gratitude from her immediately

When I finished my paper in 1970, Elizabeth Yates was still quite active, and has produced many articles and books since then. It was always a bright spot in my day to have a chance meeting with her either at a library meeting or at some other occasion. These last few years when I would meet with her, she would urge me to take up the bio-bibliography so as to bring it up to date. (My director had warned me about taking a living author!)

After giving my old work rest for about thirty years, I have taken it up again. I have added on to the list of books and articles and I have updated the biography. New chapters have been added to highlight the many activities and achievements since 1970.