MARY LANKFORD

Author & Librarian

BIOGRAPHY I BOOKS I PRESENTATIONS I BOOK ORDERING

Formerly the Director of

Library and Media Services for

the Irving, Texas Independent School District, as well as the

Director of Library Services for

the Texas Education Agency,

Mary Lankford is the author of

several children's books.

School Library Journal called

Ms. Lankford's Hopscotch

Around the World "enjoyable

and informative [with] varied and

creative uses, both for the games

themselves and the multicultural

studies into which they can be

integrated" and said of her

Christmas Around the World,

"visually attractive and

thoughtful...Many readers, and

librarians, will only hope for

another title next year."

In Her Own Words...

"As a child my favorite question

was Why? That three-letter word continues to guide me as I do research for my books. I was born on December 7, 1932, in Denton, Texas. My parents owned a small grocery and school supply store. We had a variety of dogs, cats, and chickens and a wonderful vegetable garden. My dad subscribed to three newspapers and read aloud to us at the dinner table. My parents believed in education, honesty, and dedication to task. Their love of books and reading was not preached but modeled.

"My elementary school was part of the University of North Texas. Its curriculum included special programs and other opportunities for students to answer their many whys. Most elementary schools of those years had neither library nor librarian. We were lucky to have a librarian and teachers who brought the best of children's books to our attention.

"I loved everything about our school library. My memories include marvelous hidden corners, delicious smells of lacquer (this was before protective plastic book jackets), wonderful drawers filled with cards, and magazines and books. I decided to become a librarian in the fourth grade and never wavered. I entered the University of North Texas to study library service, but I had other dreams as well:  I could imagine myself working in a bookstore or for a New York City publisher. I knew nothing about publishing, but I knew I had to be doing something with books. Although I had kept diaries as a child, it never occurred to me that I might become an author.

"I worked as a librarian, in Delaware and New Mexico, and then in 1966, when I moved to Irving, Texas, I was asked by the Irving independent School District to establish a library program. The past thirty years have sped by. In 1991, our program was recognized by the American Association of School Libraries and the Encyclopaedia Britannica Corporation as the most outstanding library media program in the United States. My active role with the Irving Independent School District ended in March 1996. I now spend more time writing and doing author visits and library-related workshops.  All four of my children are now grown, and I have several grandchildren.   I still enjoy working with teachers, administrators, and librarians, and find the new technology and its roles in libraries very exciting. I was most pleased to be honored with the Texas Library Association Distinguished Service Award and the University of North Texas Distinguished Alumni award.

"There are still so many whys. My first books were for adults, based on the workshops I conduct for teachers and librarians. I then began to write for children, spurred on by my curiosity, love of travel, and interest in the rich diversity of people all over the world as well as right here in our own country. I love visiting schools to talk with teachers and students about the many ways, and the many joys, of writing."