Montpelier, VT Mary Jane ("MJ") Manahan of Montpelier, who directed children's services for a generation at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, died Wednesday, April 8, at Central Vermont Medical Center. She was 61. During her tenure at the library from 1993 to 2008, she was instrumental in every phase of a major construction project that transformed the children's library. The "Children's Room" moved from a damp basement in the 1896 building to the second floor of a $2 million wood and granite addition, the Patrick Leahy Wing, which was completed in 2001. The daughter of Roderick David Manahan and Katherine Manahan Moran of Dunellen, N.J., she was born in Elizabeth, N.J. She attended St. John the Evangelist School in Dunellen and graduated from Holy Trinity High School in Westfield, N.J., Class of 1972. She then earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Rider College in Lawrenceville, N.J. Upon graduation, she worked as a reporter for the Courier News of Bridgewater, N.J. before beginning a career in education. For seven years, she was an elementary teacher at Sundance School, a private pre-K through fifth grade school in North Plainfield, N.J. After moving to Vermont, she home-schooled her son, Fred. In 1993, she became children's librarian at the Kellogg-Hubbard, where her lively storytimes regularly drew more than 50 preschoolers, parents and grandparents. Amid readings, songs and craft projects, she introduced science, history, literature, sign language and even (with the help of students from New England Culinary Institute) cooking. In the mid-1990s, she instituted three annual family events that have been among the library's most popular – the July 3 Lawn Party, the August Tie-Dye Fest and the October Halloween Party. Her advocacy for the building project grew out of frustration with flooding in the basement amid signs that mold could destroy the children's collection. She helped coordinate the planning, funding, design, construction and implementation of the addition. Architectural changes that she pressed for were adopted: adding air conditioning and, after she personally paced off the proposed dimensions, more space for shelving. She successfully urged that interior decor in the children's library should not look childish. The rooms came to be finished in the dignified colors and enduring textures of a university library. But she also made sure the children could enjoy a fish tank, a train set, and plenty of natural light and indoor plants. When Sen. Jim Jeffords, I-Vt., procured nearly $1 million in federal funding for outreach programs at Vermont libraries, Mary Jane helped win $215,000 of it for a Kellogg-Hubbard bookmobile in 2003. The program, run in conjunction with the library at U-32 High School and Wheels transportation agency, served families in Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Middlesex, Montpelier and Worcester for four years. The bookmobile was dubbed the VanGo and emblazoned with large decals of sunflowers reflecting her favorite artist, Vincent Van Gogh. In the spring of 2005 the children's library gained media attention when she initiated a project for children to tag and release a flotilla of plastic ducks in the Winooski River. Some traveled more than 50 miles and a few were found in Lake Champlain, to the delight of patrons who followed each reported sighting on a map in the library. An avid reader of nonfiction, she prided herself on building an impressive nonfiction collection for the Kellogg-Hubbard's young adult readers. She also influenced the adult library's nonfiction holdings with continual suggestions. As a member for a dozen years of the "Rapid Reviews" team, which presented annually at Vermont Library Association conferences, she encouraged nonfiction acquisitions in libraries throughout the state. Among her nonfiction fascinations were movies, ranging from art-house classics to Hollywood's latest; European royals; the Titanic; and American history, especially the Founders and the Civil War. She also served on committees of the state library association and as vice president and president of its group called CAYAL (Children and Young Adult Librarians) in 1994 and 1995. She co-chaired the 1996 VLA statewide conference. From 1996 to 2008 she served as a member of the Board of Advisors to the Children's Literacy Foundation. This public charity has promoted childhood reading by donating millions of dollars in books to schools and libraries throughout Vermont and New Hampshire, especially those serving low-income, at-risk, and rural children. Her greatest loves and passions, apart from her family and friends, were literacy, children and animals. Her love of children was on display until the last years of her life, when she taught as a substitute at all levels in the Montpelier Public Schools, worked as a nanny, and led enthusiastic, witty tours for school groups as well as tourists at the Vermont Statehouse. Recreationally, she enjoyed water sports, hiking, biking, and working out in her home gym. Her favorite travel destinations were Caribbean islands off the beaten track, especially Jost Van Dyke and Anegada in the British Virgin Islands. She is survived by her mother, Katherine Moran Manahan of Montpelier; a son and daughter-in-law, Fred and Carol Manahan of Montpelier; a grandson, Will Manahan; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Thomas and Geri Moore Manahan of New Brunswick, N.J., and James and Mary Manahan of Newtown, Pa.; a sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Jack Regan of Oak Bluffs, Mass.; a sister, Elizabeth Manahan of Montpelier; five nephews; three nieces; and a longtime friend, Thomas Simonet of Yardley, Pa. Arrangements are by Guare and Sons Funeral Home, 30 School St., Montpelier, Vt. 05602, (802) 223-2751. On Saturday, April 18, visiting hours will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by a memorial service at noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier, Vt. 05602, designated for the Mary Jane Manahan Memorial Fund.