After 29 incredible years at the Maplewood Library, Jane Folger, fondly known as “Ms. Jane” to the thousands of patrons she’s helped over the years, is retiring at the end of August.
Folger, who has served as the Head of Children’s Services since January 1997, earned her B.A. from Princeton University and a Masters of Library Science from Columbia University’s Rare Book School. Before moving into libraries, she worked in rare books and served as a manager and children’s book buyer for two independent bookstores.
Though she loved libraries growing up, Folger didn’t always know she wanted to be a librarian. “I knew I loved books, and I loved people,” she said. Her career in books started at Princeton where she worked in the Preservation department. After that, she got jobs with two rare book dealers in New York City—and, while she loved the work, she realized she wanted to help people, especially families and children.
Folger learned about the children’s librarian job at Maplewood Library from Arlean Lambert—then the children’s librarian at Marshall School—during a storytelling workshop at Princeton. Once Folger got the job, she says the Library and community were everything she wanted and more. “I fell in love with Maplewood immediately,” she said. “It is the most extraordinary community. The people here are dedicated to a better world. There’s creativity beyond what you can imagine: People who think outside the box, who color outside the lines.”
Over the course of her career, Folger has developed many strong and lasting partnerships with local organizations and schools. This important work has helped to create a vibrant and enthusiastic community of library users of all ages. As a children’s librarian, Folger’s main focus has always been giving kids a voice; working with kids with different ranges of needs and abilities; and helping children to develop a sense of empathy through creative and interactive programs. “The public library is a place to be yourself, find out who you are, and learn about the world,” she said.
Folger’s ability to foster community is felt both within and outside the library. About what she’s most proud of, she said: “I’m really proud of being a good mentor. I taught a lot of librarians and created some really strong teams here. I saw the importance of strengthening families by giving them opportunities to work together in creative, fun ways. To make programs that are social so, whether they like books or not, they can have fun—and develop connections and relationships with other people.”
Folger has become a fixture at the library after so many years. “I think what people see is how much I love my job and how much joy it brings me,” she said. She’s seen children grow up, leave, and return with families of their own. “People think of me as their personal librarian,” she said. “I’ve built so many wonderful relationships with kids and families over the years. And in looking back on the progression of her career, Folger has no regrets: “I think my career has built upon itself in a perfectly natural way. I can’t think of a more fun career, a more fun trajectory. I feel like the luckiest person in the world.”
When she got here, Folger said Maplewood Library immediately felt like home. “I thought to myself, ‘I’m going to retire here.’” And after nearly three decades, that time has come. At the end of the month, Folger will be leaving the Maplewood area. Though sad, she is looking forward to being closer to family, spending more time in nature, and being able to read more. “But, boy, I will miss it here,” she concludes.
Folger’s last day at the Library is August 31, 2026. To give her the send-off she deserves, Maplewood Library will be hosting “Farewell Day for Ms Jane!” on Wednesday, August 26, from 1-7 pm in the Children’s Program Room. Stop by to say goodbye, sign or draw something in the memory book, and draw or post a picture of yourself to our “Faces of Maplewood” art wall!
