MSU-B Librarian Honored

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By Katie Ussin

Story Published: Apr 13, 2010 at 6:39 PM MST

Story Updated: Apr 14, 2010 at 10:13 AM MST

BILLINGS - One voice stands out when it is heard above a whisper in the library at Montana State University-Billings.

"I've always loved books, that is one thing that even as a small child I really did love," said Jane Howell. Her British accent gives her away as a non-native Montanan. "I'm from Birmingham, England," she smiled.

She has worked at MSU-B for almost 30 years. She has been the Director of Library Services since 1990. The Montana Library Association just honored Howell for her life's work at MSU-B. She was inducted into a sort of hall of fame for librarians.

"Very flattered," said Howell.

The ceremony took place last weekend in Bozeman. She has helped organized mounds of information and literature most of us have never heard of until we need to access it, and then there it is right at our fingertips.

"I think the thing I'm most proud of is having the opportunity to work with some wonderful people, being able to mentor them through their careers, and being able to reach out so that this library can work with other libraries in the state and other places," said Howell. She is retiring this year.

"We are definitely going to miss Jane, but I'm sure she won't be far away," said Brent Roberts.

Roberts is the Associate Director and will fill her shoes, despite the fact that's he's not British.

"That's the way to get places is with a funky accent," he laughed. "So, I'm working on that!"

As one chapter of Howell's life closes, another continues to be written.

"Breast cancer, which unfortunately has metastasized to my bones, but I'm surviving, and I plan to for quite a while longer," she said.

None of the books she is surrounded by contain a cure, but work she said has helped her maintain a sense of normalcy since being diagnosed five years ago. In retirement she said she plans to catch up on her reading and spend time with her family.

"We hang in there and try to take each day and live through it as best we can," she said. "I think most cancer survivors would tell you the same thing that when you have the opportunity you keep going."

April 11-17 is National Library Week. Tuesday was National Library Worker's Day.

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