Issue 26 Spring 1999
Keith Barker - A Celebration
Keith Barker's untimely death last year shocked and deeply saddened the profession. There have been numerous tributes to Keith in the professional literature and the National YLG Committee felt that we would like to pay our tribute to a dear friend and colleague and include a celebration of him in this issue. What follows is a collection of contributions that I received from all over the UK. Together they offer many different memories of Keith and collectively reveal the high esteem and deep affection with which he was held.
Many of the contributions sum up qualities which I recognise in Keith. I want to mention another. Having worked closely with him editing books and organising the Arts Council/W. H. Smith Conference on Children's Literature I know what a fine administrator and organiser he was, precise, calm and collective (many's the time he soothed my furrowed brow when under pressure), a true professional. On one hairy occasion, we were sitting having lunch minutes before the official opening of the conference when the news broke that one of our seminar leaders (a major name with two full days of teaching lined up) had 'phoned to say that she couldn't take part. Several of us went white, others fainted. Not Keith, though. He chuckled, rubbed his beard and, eyes gleaming, disappeared for a little while. He re-appeared smiling and said, "Don't worry... I've got a replacement and she's on her way". The replacement was needless to say a great success. His knowledge of the field, his rapport with people, his professionalism, and his unflappability all encapsulated in one act.
I shall miss him as a colleague and as a dear friend.
Ray Lonsdale, Chair of YLG National Committee
Children's librarianship is one of the jewels in the crown of the library world and is rightly respected both at home and abroad. Part of that excellence is the result of a few very special colleagues whose commitment and enthusiasm has made them leaders in their field, for example, Eileen Colwell for storytelling, Janet Hill for outreach.
Keith was our leader in the field for his knowledge and appreciation of children's books. For me and for other children's librarians he was our book man, not only for his excellent reviewing and booklists but also his knowledge of the history and development of the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals. His reviews and books on the Medals had the full authority of his profession and informed our judgements accordingly.
His contribution did not stop there however. Keith's book knowledge was highly respected outside our profession by other reviewers, lecturers and writers and illustrators themselves. Such an achievement only comes from a deep respect of another person's viewpoint and profession, and Keith had that absolutely.
We shall miss his erudition, his self-effacing manner and even more, his gentle sense of humour.
John Dunne, Assistant County Librarian, Hampshire
I have so many memories of Keith, it's hard to find just one. We were good friends for almost 20 years and during that time shared many things - both good times and bad. I have a myriad of memories from numerous hilarious car journeys to YLG conferences, train journeys (usually delayed), to and from committee meetings and the special moment at the House of Commons when I was awarded the T. C. Farries award for personal achievement in P.R., an award for which he had nominated me. However, out of all of these, when I think about him, the memories which come most to mind are of the numerous trips we made together when down in London, to see Les Miserables at the Palace Theatre. His passion for the show was as great as mine. The first time we saw it, back in the mists of time we both 'bawled our eyes out'. At the end of the performance there I was, still heaving with sobs, surrounded by soggy tissues and an empty Kleenex box, red eyes and nose and tear stained cheeks. He looked at me and said "Well did you enjoy it? Was it worth the price of the ticket!" at which point I collapsed into fits of laughter and we went and had a Chinese meal and a bottle of wine 'to help us recover'!! I smile every time I think about it.
So many times, since his death, I've found myself automatically reaching for the phone just to tell him about something, to chew something over with him or just to catch up on the gossip - somehow he always seemed to hear it all first! Even after six months, it's still hard to believe he isn't here. In my mind's eye, I see him, I remember his smile, I remember his contagious laugh and I remember his "there there it'll be alright" bear hugs, but what I remember most is just what a good friend he was and like so many other people, that's what I miss most of all.
Annie Everall Vice Chair, YLG
My most vivid memory of Keith happened when I was Publications officer for YLG and Keith had been commissioned to write In the Realms of Gold in celebration of the Carnegie Medal. We went to meet with Julia MacRae, who had agreed to produce the book for YLG and to talk through some of the details. Keith positively glowed, when Julia said how good she thought it was and then his jaw dropped when she actually offered him a fee for his work. (Everything is relative, remember we're talking Carnegie Medal here, not Jackie Collins!) I supported Keith, on wobbly legs down the road, and we celebrated with afternoon tea in Liberty's. I was so pleased for him and because Keith was the kind of person that he was, I know that Julia's praise was the real thrill that day, although I think he might have started his love affair with Greece that year, because of Julia's generosity.
Viv Griffiths, Birmingham Libraries
It was with great regret that I heard of the death of Keith Barker. I always found him to be very supportive, particularly after the devastating fire that destroyed the Childrens Library in Birmingham's Central Library. He shared our fears and the great joys of the opening of the new Centre for the Child. He was always willing to help out a colleague, although one had to watch out for his infectious sense of humour which could take hold at any time! He was always approachable and interested in what his friends were doing, and even after the sad death of his wife, remained positive about life. The library world has lost a vibrant, funny and dedicated man, and I for one shall miss him.
Barbara Hilton, Centre for the Child, Birmingham
I can picture Keith's smiling face and eyes right now - and hear his soft-spoken gentle voice. His marvellous wit and quick repartee were always there and he wore his cloak of knowledge and expertise lightly talking of books for children with insight and easy familiarity. Most of all, I miss his smile for it was constant and warm whatever the weather, whatever the difficulties. If there are 'Realms of Gold', Keith'll be there, and justly so.
Grace Kempster, Essex Library Service
Anne Marley, Hampshire Libraries
Although I hadn't seen Keith for over 5 years, I still felt we were in more or less daily contact via the articles and reviews he wrote, the advice he was always willing to give over the telephone and the great knowledge and wisdom he had of all things to do with books, librarianship and a host of other matters too. Above all, I remember his great warmth, friendship and ability to always find time for people no matter how hard pressed he was himself. He will be sadly missed by a great many people.
Philip Marshall, Nottingham Libraries
As editor of the School Librarian, Keith always chose at least one really great book for me to review - always something he knew I would really like. It always made me feel he'd chosen it especially with me in mind - knowing the kind of person Keith was, I bet everyone felt that way. My letter to Keith with my reviews invariably began with "I'm really, really sorry these are so late!" It became a standing joke between us. One of the many, many things I miss about Keith is his gentle nagging about my late reviews.
Teresa Scragg, Head of Children & Schools Services, Solihull
Quiet spoken he may have been, but behind this unassuming exterior was a man who cared passionately about books. His deep knowledge of authors and illustrators and his dogged determination to champion children's books and reading are the memories that will remain with me of Keith.
But how did our paths cross? We met in 1983 at my first YLG Conference whilst he was working on Realms of Gold for The Library Association; he visited our showroom when he had real money to spend (yes, a huge wad of pound notes - and no I didn't ask!); we later attended Carnegie Greenaway meetings together during his time as one of the great 'chairs' of YLG; We experienced wonderfully entertaining and educational train ourneys down to London for those meetings with Keith, but never the return journey, he was always taking in a show or visiting friends afterwards. He called in again last year whilst working on his latest book for The LA and spent a couple of quiet days thumbing through our Carnegie Collection, reading, researching, assessing. And then there were those Christmas parties in the showroom, when he was always attempting to hide from the Pantoland fate that he knew awaited him, and the running 'Tristam Shandy' joke that he put me up to, appearing for some years in our calendars - but not this year ?
Helpful, gentle, loving, caring - all words used to describe Keith by the many, many librarians and teachers whom I have met and talked to since his death, not necessarily close friends but people like me, whose lives he touched.
Peter Sheldon and Moira Arthur, Peters Library Service
It seems that I knew Keith the whole time I have been involved with YLG. I think of him as Publications Officer, Editor and Chair but it is always his smiling, cheery face that comes to mind whatever job he was doing. I can only recall consternation once, when Harlech TV wanted a word about this conference on sex and drugs that we were holding in Cardiff! The overwhelming memory of Keith is one of kindness - he was truly one of the nicest people I have ever met, never a cross word or an unkind remark, always there to help and to calm the frazzled - just one of the best human beings I have been lucky enough to meet. I will miss his unerring sense of direction, his smile, his hug and welcoming scratchy kiss.
Karen Usher, National YLG Committee
Keith's influence on YLG will certainly continue, He set such a great example for the rest of us to live up to.
Sarah Wilkie, Westminster Libraries
Keith once introduced me when I spoke to the YLG Weekend School. It was the last session, there had been really good presentations through the weekend, and I had the awesome responsibility of rounding it all off. No-one, but no-one, was more able to put you at your ease than Keith; that ready smile, and the wisecracks the audience didn't hear, made it so much easier for me. I hardly dared look sideways at him during the speech, mind you, because the mischief in those eyes would have cracked me up again!
I can't think of anyone who didn't share my feelings about Keith. And when I bring him to mind now - he's still got that smile ...
Alec & Beryl Williams
