Helping Hands: Jane Mitchell

Name: Jane Mitchell

Hometown: Gadsden, Alabama. Moved to Florida in 2003 to be near children and grandchildren.

Title: Librarian, Indian Rocks Beach Library

How long have you worked here?
“I worked initially for St. Pete Beach Public Library, and I began here in 2007 in November.”

What got you interested in being a librarian?
“I’ve always been a big reader. I was always the quiet wallflower type in school. I’m a book lover and I also write. I was an English major in college and then got my MLIS.”

What do you like about being a librarian?
“Collection, development, purchasing the books, keeping track of them. Interacting with patrons and suggesting books. That’s called reader’s advisory and I’ve done that since I started working in libraries. I love to do that. I also take suggestions, if it’s attainable. I like to please the public.”

What do you like about this area?
“The community is extremely friendly. I can make better one on one contact here than in a larger library. Working with my volunteers is great.”

What can the public to do to help?
“We always need volunteers, especially in the summer. Just people coming in and seeing what we have and making book suggestions helps.”