THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 8, 1995 TAG: 9502070084
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
WHEN CHARLOTTE HAWKS was a librarian for Portsmouth public schools, she had so much fun working that kids often asked her if she got paid for her work.
``They thought I was having too much fun to be paid,'' she says. ``I loved the research part of it. I liked helping the kids find materials in the library. And I just liked being there.''
Hawks also enjoyed the interaction she had with elementary students.
``The elementary schools is where you usually catch 'em, as far as getting them interested in reading. If they're not caught there, they're usually not caught at all.''
When Hawks retired 12 years ago, she moved to Isle of Wight County, where she volunteers as a librarian at the county's Smithfield branch library. She also has volunteered at the Carrollton Library and the Cousteau Society Library in Chesapeake.
When Hawks was a librarian in the Portsmouth school system, she says, her principal told her a college degree would be required, somewhere down the road, to work as a school librarian.
``He said, `When they do require it, your salary will double.'
``That was all I needed. So I got my degree from Old Dominion University when I was 51 years old.''
Name: Charlotte Carney Hawks
What brought you to Isle of Wight? Retirement and a desire to live on the water.
Hometown: Churchland, Norfolk County (now Portsmouth).
Birthdate: Jan. 9, 1918.
Occupation: Librarian, retired.
Marital status: Widow.
Children: Four.
Favorite movies: ``Dr. Zhivago,'' ``Summerhill.''
Favorite magazine: U.S. News and World Report.
A book you wish everyone would read, and why: Any book - just read!
Favorite night out on the town: I really don't like to go out in the evenings.
Favorite bar or restaurant: Lunch at the no-name restaurant in Rescue.
Favorite food and drink: Good homemade soup and corn bread. Gin and tonic.
Few people know . . . that I am a cross-stitch addict.
What's the best thing about yourself? I don't worry about things.
Worst habit: Speaking before engaging my brain.
First thing in the morning: Feed my cat and get the paper.
Pets: Beau, my cat.
Hobbies: Boating, fishing and volunteering.
Ideal vacation: W&L Alumni College in Lexington.
Pet peeve: People who talk about their aches and pains.
First job: Lunch room cashier at Smith and Welton in Norfolk.
Worst job: Bookkeeping.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Maintaining my health and sanity.
What would you like on your epitaph? ``She did not go gently.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
by CNB