About me...

OK, just who is Nancy Keane anyway?  We've used the site and read the books but still don't know who she is!

Well, I am just another lover of children's literature just like you.  I was raised in Massachusetts and have lived in Vermont, Ireland and now in New Hampshire.  When I was little, my mother introduced me to the joys of reading.  She wrote short stories for magazines and school readers and loved sharing her joy with me.  I loved to read but, alas, I was not a good reader -- according to the school standards.  So, I served a stint in the remedial reading class.  I must admit I didn't feel I belonged there.  I read just fine.  I was just a very slow reader so when I had to share a book with another student, I simply didn't read the whole page before the other student turned the page.  Well, after a time in remedial reading, I learned how to fake it for the teacher and they let me out.  I am still a slow reader but I don't worry about it anymore.  I love language and read and reread at my own pace.

After graduating from high school, I left the small town life and headed off to University of Massachusetts, Amherst.  I had never seen so many people in one place.  I loved it!  It was there that I got a job in the library.  It was a work-study job as part of my financial aid but I absolutely loved it.  Being around books all day was a privilege.  Actually, I usually tried to get the night shift at the circulation desk.  When it was quiet, I got to sit and read.  So, after four years and a degree in psychology, what else was I prepared for?  You got it.  A job in a library.  I got a job in an academic library as a clerk typist.  Now, I know I'm dating myself but my first full time job was typing the headings on the top of the catalog cards!

After a couple of years as a para-professional, I decided it was time to get my master's degree and become a "real" librarian.  So, off I headed south and went to University of Rhode Island.  Acutally, Simmons was my first choice seeing as how it was across the street from Fenway Park and I'm a die-hard Red Sox fan.  But, I couldn't afford the cost so I went to URI.  And boy am I glad I did.  I met a great group of people and had some wonderful professors.  I also got a work-study job at the reserve desk.  So, nights and weekends you could find me sitting at the desk -- reading!

After I got my degree, I had a few positions before I found my true calling.  I've had  jobs as a cataloger in academic libraries.  I've worked as the night and weekend librarian at a public library.  I help set up a library in a medical office.  I even worked as a library director at a small college.  But, my true passion is working as a school librarian.  And, believe it or not, I love working with middle school kids.  They are a very interesting bunch!  So, for the past decade, I've been a school librarian in New Hampshire.  I have also been very involved in technology and earned a MA in Educational Technology a few years ago.

I still love to read and have shared many of my favorites with my own children.  I currently live with my 16 year old son, four cats and a dog.  My daughter and her husband live nearby and have blessed me with my first grandchild.  And now I can share more stories with Aidan as the years go by.

When I'm not at work or spending time with my family, I keep very busy.  In addition to my webpages and books, I also promote reading through a television show.  Kids' Book Beat airs monthly on our local cable channel, CCTV.  Shows have included students talking about their favorites, guest booktalkers, a story teller and I hope to feature local authors in the future.  I write a column for the local newspaper called "Just For Kids" which hightlights great children's literature centered on a theme.  I am also on my church library committee with an emphasis on children's Christian literature.

Computers have also become my fascination.  I am on the adjunct faculty of the Computer Dept. at New Hampshire Technical Institute and teach technology related workshops for The Univerisity of New Hampshire.  Distance education has always interested me -- especially while living in rural areas.  I have been fortunate to be involved with Connected University from the start and have guided many courses for them.

Now you probably know more than you ever could have wanted to!