Jana
Department: Maker + STEAM services
Jana is excited to make cool stuff and do weird science, and remind everyone that 1) art and science help us understand and interpret the world and 2) mistakes are the portal of discovery (thank you Mr. Joyce). She’s particularly interested in creativity and innovation, citizen science, making connections, and helping people make discoveries of all kinds.
Jana joins Maker + STEAM after 5 years in Durham County Library’s Small Business Center, where she helped local entrepreneurs find and access the information and resources they needed. She has a BBA in political science and economics, an MPP in international political economy and environmental and regulatory policy, and an MLS with a concentration in public libraries. She especially loves talking about animals, maps, and arcane data. She used to have hobbies and do fun things, but now mostly drives her three (amazing) kiddos to their fun things, makes sure the furred and feathered residents of her house are appropriately catered to, and valiantly attempts to keep the house short of abject disaster.
Pronouns: she/her
Jana's upcoming events
Climate Up Close
Monday, October 12, 2026 • 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Main Children's Programming Room)
Climate Up Close works to inform and elevate the national conversation on climate change by explaining the scientific consensus clearly, without partisanship or policy prescriptions. They challenge both denialism and fatalism—the opposing...
Ages: Adult
Why are Katmai's bears so fat? [VIRTUAL ONLY]
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 • 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Virtual
This event listing is for the virtual session ONLY....
Ages: Adult, Elementary School, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, High School, Intergenerational, Middle School, Teen, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds
Why are Katmai's bears so fat? [in person only]
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St) (Innovation Lab)
This event registration is for the in-person event ONLY. ...
Ages: Adult, Elementary School, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, High School, Intergenerational, Middle School, Teen, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds
This Week In the Lab: Cubelets
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 • 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St)
Join the Maker + STEAM Team in the Innovation Lab during specified open hours to build simple robots with our Cubelets! Cubelets are circut blocks that allow you to build simple robots by exploring sequence and action with sense...
Ages: Adult, Elementary School, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, High School, Intergenerational, Kindergarten, Middle School, Pre-School, Senior Citizen, Teen, Toddler, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds, DPS
This Week In the Lab: Cubelets
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 • 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St)
Join the Maker + STEAM Team in the Innovation Lab during specified open hours to build simple robots with our Cubelets! Cubelets are circut blocks that allow you to build simple robots by exploring sequence and action with sense...
Ages: Adult, Elementary School, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, High School, Intergenerational, Kindergarten, Middle School, Pre-School, Senior Citizen, Teen, Toddler, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds, DPS
This Week In the Lab: Cubelets
Thursday, October 22, 2026 • 10:00am - 2:00pm
Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St)
Join the Maker + STEAM Team in the Innovation Lab during specified open hours to build simple robots with our Cubelets! Cubelets are circut blocks that allow you to build simple robots by exploring sequence and action with sense...
Ages: Adult, Elementary School, Emerging Adult: 18-24 Year Olds, High School, Intergenerational, Kindergarten, Middle School, Pre-School, Senior Citizen, Teen, Toddler, Tweens: 9-12 Year Olds, DPS