Right now I have one of my children's favorite songs stuck in my head and I can thank my favorite librarian for that! "Hey Daddy...." My family loves going to story time with Jane at the Kellogg Hubbard Library in Montpelier (see MamaSays calendar for dates and times!). We are lucky to have such a loving, sweet, thoughtful librarian in our community. After hearing stories about Jane's life in the South I asked her for an interview. Partly because I am nosy, but I knew that you would enjoy getting to know Jane better too.

Enjoy reading my interview below! Hope to see you at story time!

I have heard you mention that you are from LA, and even heard you read books with a great thick Louisiana accent. How did you end up in Montpelier, VT?
I’m actually related to half the state of Vermont.  My maternal grandmother grew up here.  Her father owned a machine shop in Winooski at the turn of the century.  The Stevens family has deep roots here.  My ancestors helped settle the town of Bennington and were close friends and builders for Ethan and Ira Allen.  Alonzo, my great great grandfather is credited for building Lincoln Hall in Essex Junction.  I heard wonderful stories about Vermont growing up from my grandmother, who graduated from UVM the youngest in the class of 1917.  She worked in Washington DC during WWI and there met my grandfather, who moved her south.  I’ve always wanted to explore the places she lived and reconnect with this part of my family.  When the opportunity came up, I jumped at the chance to see what Vermont was all about.

I have also heard you talk about your daughter. Tell us about her!  
My daughter, Mary, was born in McComb, Mississippi, and was 9 when we moved to Vermont.  She considers Vermont her home.  She started here in the 4th grade at East Montpelier Elementary and graduated from U32 in 2009.  Soon after we moved to Vermont, she and I became active with one of the local community theater groups and she became fascinated with all that goes on backstage.  She and I did “The Music Man” with the Barre Players in 2003 and though she’s done a few more things on stage, she’s much happier behind the scenes.  She just graduated from Stephens College in Missouri with a BFA in Theater Arts and a minor in music.  She will be the master electrician for the Des Moines Metropolitan Opera this summer!  I could not be prouder of her!

What keeps you motivated to sing songs, read books, and MAKE THE DAY of so many youngsters?
I grew up wanting to be a teacher and my degree is in Elementary Education.  I taught school in Louisiana but when we moved to Mississippi, my degree didn’t transfer.  So when I saw an opening at a local public library for a children’s librarian, I applied.  It was the closest thing I could get to a teaching position.  I instantly fell in love with the library.  Seeing the excitement of the faces of little ones as they discover a world of books and stories, it’s just magical.  And to think I might be a small part of what makes them develop a love for reading and literacy that will last a lifetime is so exciting!  I loved teaching school, but I love being able to serve kids of all ages and show them how much fun reading and libraries can be!  It’s the best job on the planet!

What is your favorite children's book? Song? Author?
My favorite children’s book is “Andrew Henry’s Meadow” by Doris Burn.  I love the story and her illustrations.  I first read it when I was 4 or 5 and it is still my all time favorite today.  My favorite author as a child was Katherine Paterson.  I had no idea she lived in the area when I moved here and though I’ve had the opportunity to meet her and even work with her, I still get star struck when I’m with her.  She asked me to produce a play for her at the Barre Opera House in 2007.  It was the Vermont premiere of “Come Sing, Jimmy Jo” one of her lesser known books.  She is one of the sweetest most genuine people I’ve ever met and she deserves every bit of praise she gets for her wonderful stories.

My favorite song?  Well, you might be surprised.  I grew up with the Eagles and Styx and Journey and such and will forever stand with my hand over my heart when I hear the southern national anthem: Sweet Home Alabama.  But my favorite kids song is “The Three Pig Blues” by Greg and Steve.  It was my theme song as a children’s librarian in the south and the song I was known the most for.  I’ve rarely done it up here.  It’s an active “acting out” song that’s hard to do with the youngest of children.  You’ll likely see it this summer.  I think it’s time these Vermont kids learned the southern version of the story!

What mothering advice do you share with others?
I’m usually the last person to give someone mothering advice.  The best advice I’ve ever gotten was from my mother who said, “Don’t be in too much of a hurry. Time passes way too quickly so enjoy every minute.”  She always said my job was to provide a safe place for my daughter to make mistakes, to stumble, learn how to get back up and keep going, and to let her be who she wants to be knowing that no matter what she chooses, she will always be loved and cherished.

He even has a website: http://cainesarcade.com/