Jane Meland is the assistant director for Public Services librarian at the Michigan State University College of Law Schaefer Law Library, where she has worked for about 12 years. In addition to her library duties, she also teaches advanced legal research (in class and online) at MSU College of Law and provides research instruction for the first year J.D. and LLM Research, Writing and Advocacy classes.
Meland has a juris doctor degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, a master’s in library science from Wayne State University, and an undergraduate degree in accounting from Western Michigan University.
By Jo Mathis
Legal News
Residence: Okemos.
Currently reading … “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak and “Brain Rules” by John Medina.
What is your most treasured material possession? Two lockets—one that my daughter gave me and one that was my grandmother’s, and a wad of dog fur from my beloved dog, Bailey. He was a great dog and a wonderful companion to me and the rest of his four-legged family members.
What advice do you have for someone considering law school? Think it through and be sure you’re willing to make the financial commitment. And take as many legal research classes as possible.
Favorite local hangouts: Okemos Dunkin Donuts; my daughter’s school; cruising the back roads of Ingham County on my motorcycle; Hilltop and Sanctuary yoga studios; and my deck in the summer.
Favorite websites: I use Feedly.com to monitor several blogs & news sources, so it would probably be my favorite website.
Your proudest moments on the job? Any time I can help someone with a reference/research question is my proudest moment, and that happens almost every day.
What is your happiest childhood memory? Getting my first pair of pointe shoes. Riding in a convertible with my dad.
Which things do you not like to do? Cleaning my house and grading student assignments.
What would surprise people about your job? It’s a new job every day.
If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would that be? I don’t want to trade places with anyone. I like being me.
What’s the most awe-inspiring place you have visited? Any place in the great outdoors.
What’s your greatest achievement? Being a parent—but it’s actually an evolving achievement.
If you could have one super power, what would it be? I’d be able to nod my head and the house would be uncluttered, clean and devoid of pet hair. (Ha ha. And you’re probably wondering why I have a wad of dog fur as one of my most treasured possessions.)
What would you say to your 16-year-old self? Ask lots of questions, and quit smoking (which I did a few years later).
What one thing do you wish people knew about your work? We really want you to ask us questions when we are working at the reference desk. You’re never bothering us.
Must-see TV: I like watching The Food Network or the Cooking Channel. I really like the show “The Worst Cooks in America.” It’s a lot of fun and I can watch it with my daughter.
What’s your biggest regret? I have no regrets.
What word do you overuse? “So….”
What is something most people don't know about you? I own six bicycles and I ride all of them.
What’s one thing you would like to learn to do? Sew, and sew well.
If you could have dinner with a handful of people, living or dead, who would they be? Friends and family, maybe Alton Brown, Bob Newhart or Carol Burnett, and Governor Rick Snyder.
What would you say to the governor? I’m definitely a middle-of-the-road voter and don’t feel any affiliation with one party or the other, but in my opinion, he seems to take a very pragmatic and fair approach to solving problems in the state. Also, being a positive person myself, I can relate to his personal philosophy of the power of positive thinking. I’d be interested in talking to him about how he negotiates and works with the legislature (and other politicians), and how he maintains his positive attitude when doing that.
Can’t-live-without technology: My Keurig coffee maker.
Favorite CD: I like classical music, so anything by Chopin, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, etc.
Favorite law-related movie: “Anatomy of a Murder,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and “Legally Blonde.”
What’s the best advice you ever received? “Think about your parents every day.”
What do you drive? A 2006 Saturn Vue.
What would you drive if money were no object? A 1950-60s era woodie.
Favorite place to spend money: The grocery store.
What is your motto? I’m an eternal optimist and never stop learning.
Where would you like to be when you're 90? Still working in a library, riding bikes with my grandkids, practicing yoga, and taking my motorcycle out for rides in the country.
