A Life of Learning
Jane Boeve brings her passion for learning to the library at Royal Park Place. She never set out to become a librarian, but after more than 30 years in education, stepping into the quiet corners of the Royal Park Place library felt like a natural next chapter.
Jane said, “They needed someone. And I figured I could fill that need.”
While she modestly describes her library duties as simple, Jane’s story is anything but ordinary. Her career started in a prison classroom. Jane taught basic skills to adult men in the Michigan corrections system before becoming the principal at the women’s prison school in Ypsilanti. Eventually, she took on a statewide role as an academic consultant for the Department of Corrections. This happened right around the time computers were being introduced into education.
“I didn’t know a thing about computers,” Jane said. “I oversaw ordering them for every prison school in Michigan. I had to learn fast. We went with Apple computers.”
While many library patrons come to read the newspaper, the book she would most likely recommend to others is Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. It’s a novel she praises for its beautiful storytelling and lyrical prose. “It’s just become my newest favorite. The writing is so good.”
Jane admits that the biggest challenge is purely practical: “We’re tight on space. People donate books, which is wonderful, but there’s not enough room for everything.”
Still, she enjoys keeping things organized and discovering what’s new. “Like any library, it’s the same few people who borrow books regularly,” she says. “But I love seeing what comes back.”
After retiring, Jane found herself maintaining a large property in Adrian, Michigan, with gardens stretching around most of the backyard. The upkeep was becoming too much. With siblings living in the Holland area, she began exploring her options and toured several communities. Royal Park Place stood out. “It felt welcoming, and the staff were so kind during the tour,” she says. “And financially, it just made more sense than other places. I wanted to be closer to family, and this felt right.”
What stands out most to Jane about life at Royal Park Place is the kindness she’s found here. “The staff are so friendly and helpful. And that carries over to the residents. It creates such a positive atmosphere.”
Though she jokes about preferring the company of books to crowds, Jane’s quiet presence has become a steady part of community life, proof that service comes in many forms, and a reminder that every chapter adds something meaningful to the story.
