Greensburg children's librarian turns page, opens book on retirement

Janie Mason, “Miss Janie” to generations of readers, is nearing the end of a special chapter in her life.

Early next year, she will retire from her role as a children’s librarian with the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library.

As part of an early sendoff, and a thank you for her 31 years of service to the community, the library will host a farewell reception from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 14.

Refreshments will be served, and registration is not necessary.

“Miss Janie is one-in-a-million. During her career at the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, her love for children, literature, and learning has blessed the community. We will miss her unfailing kind and gentle charm, which instilled a love of reading in thousands of children,” said library Director Jamie Falo.

During a recent baby lap sit program, Mason, 70, addressed the children by name, read aloud — pages turned toward her young audience — blew bubbles, sang, clapped and handed out bells to jingle.

“We enjoyed it. You are an awesome teacher,” Lori Graham told Mason.

Graham has brought her daughter Evelyn, 2, to the program for more than a year.

”She does finger play that we do at home. … It gives me ideas and things to do with her,” said Graham, of Greensburg.

Raising little readers

Working with children was her first choice when she was hired at the library in 1989, said Mason, of Hempfield. That position was not available, so she accepted a reference position.

“I really enjoyed that,” she said.

Five years later, she moved into her present position.

“I’ve had an abiding love for language, not only English but other languages, as well as a love of books,” Mason said.

Starting children on the path to literacy early helps plant that seed of loving to learn, Mason said.

Teens can be a “hard sell.”

“If we catch them when they are young, we can show them all the joys inside a book’s pages, before they are ‘made to’ read in school, and they will enjoy that as adults and teach their children,” she said.

Parents who introduce their children to the library at a young age are giving them “such a gift,” Mason said.

Beyond books, many libraries, including Greensburg Hempfield, have interactive toys and play spaces.

“We have puppets and blocks. Kids learn so much from that, and so much storytelling just happens from interacting with those toys,” Mason said. “And they are learning.”

From toddler to tween

Keira Bonomo agreed, calling Mason “an important influence on countless local children.”

Bonomo, of Hempfield, began taking her son, Joey, 12, to story time with Mason when he was 2.

“We use the library a lot. He is an only child, and I was looking for a way to socialize him and story time was good for that. Miss Janie was always his favorite. She’s just really great with the kids,” Bonomo said.

Mason often had a complete lesson plan and craft for the kids, she said.

“He went on to be an early reader, and he has never lost his love of reading,” Bonomo said.

Her son participated in the library’s summer programs for several years, and continues to check out books.

“She still remembers him when we stop by the library,” she said.

Working together

Mason said it’s important for public libraries to work along the same track as school libraries.

“Kids make a connection. We are all about STEM education here at the library. We came to that through the schools,” Mason said.

It’s the opposite of rote reading or being fed information, she said.

“If they experience it themselves, they can tell you what’s going on and comprehend better,” she said.

Summer programming helps keep students reading year-round.

“Everything is free,” Mason said. “Our Westmoreland Library Network does professional training. They have offered us lots of STEM education and robotics training.

“It has changed light years through the decades, and I’ve been here to witness it. The library is a dynamic place, and I feel very strongly we have something for everybody,” Mason said.

Turning a page

“It’s difficult to leave. I look forward to a lot of travel. I have three trips planned for the coming year, and that makes me very happy,” she said.

She also anticipates being able to do more volunteer work, including with the nonprofit PitCare, which worked to open Pitcairn’s first public library.

She acknowledged a few tears as her career draws to a close.

“I love it. Every member of all these families I’ve been fortunate to get to know and work with. … The movie ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ pretty much describes it,” she said.