For more than 36 years, Nancy Chiller Janow has been a familiar face in the South Orange Public Library, always happy to help patrons find their next favorite read.
On Monday, Janow retired, closing that chapter of her life, one in which she created a legacy of service to the community that includes instilling a love of reading in children and other patrons.
Library Director Jill Faherty with Nancy Chiller Janow at Janow’s retirement party. (Photo courtesy of Janow)
“At the circulation desk in the library, Nancy has been a familiar, trusted presence, always ready to assist patrons, whether it be with notary service or finding someone’s next book,” Library Director Jill Faherty, said at Janow’s retirement party on Monday. “She’s always very happy to find everybody their next book, what they’ll want to read, because she knows everybody’s interest, not just their name. …Her dedication and commitment have touched countless lives. She will be deeply missed, and the library is grateful for her extraordinary 35 years of service.”
For Janow, the South Orange Public Library has been a second home and her departure comes with mixed emotions.
“I found a home at the library. This is my family,” Janow told Village Green on Tuesday. “To leave is such a mixed blessing, but I’m still here in town. I’m not going anywhere. I couldn’t. I love South Orange.”
Janow’s send-off on Monday was attended by library patrons, trustees, friends, Village Council members and members of the Library’s Book Discussion Group, which Janow led for 30 years.
In that time, the group read an estimated 300 books, and Janow even kept the group going during the pandemic, bringing the meetings online in 2020.
“And that provided a vital lifeline,” Faherty said. “For patrons who were unable to leave their homes, the virtual gatherings offered not only lively discussion, but also connection and companionship during that challenging time.”
Nancy Chiller Janow, standing, center in blue, with some of the members of the South Orange Public Library Book Discussion Group at a recent meeting. (Photo courtesy of Janow)
Beyond that, Faherty said, Janow enriched the book club experience by securing literary grants and “recommending books based on individual interests, helping many readers to discover new favorites.”
Even Janow is impressed by the list of books that were read through the years.
“When I go back and look at the list, I mean, it’s amazing, the different genres and the qualities of the books. And everybody in the group says the same thing, ‘I never would have read this book unless it was part of the book group.’ So I feel like I did a service there.”
At her send-off, a member of the library’s Board of Trustees read a proclamation honoring Janow, and Council Member Summer Jones thanked Janow for her service on behalf of the mayor and Village Council.
Nancy Chiller Janow with Village Council members (from left) Patricia Canning, Hannah Zollman and Summer Jones. (Photo taken by Jones, provided by Janow)
“For more than 35 years, Nancy has made a lasting impact on the children of South Orange. Many of those children grew up, became parents, and returned to the same library with their own children,” Jones told The Village Green afterward. “Librarians are so important because they do more than help find books; they nurture a lifelong love of reading, learning and discovery. Nancy has been a familiar and welcoming presence in our community for generations, and she will be deeply missed.”
In retirement, Janow said, she plans to travel, foster kittens and attend the library’s Book Discussion Group as a reader and member of the public.
At Monday’s event, Janow said she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support and well wishes.
“This has been the best 35 years of my life,” she told the audience. “When I started as a library volunteer at Marshall School, a long, long time ago and the opening came at the library and they hired me, I was surprised because I was a banker before this,” she said. “And I totally grew into it. I am so happy to [have served] all of you and the Village. This is the most special place I’ve ever lived or anyone could really live.”
