Sue Jackson is a librarian who takes care of other librarians throughout Montana, and is happy to quietly work away in her cubicle decorated with a frog mobile, owls and cartoon characters Wallace and Grommet in the State Library in Helena.

But her friends and colleagues figured this year that it's time to do a little something for the person they've nicknamed "Den Mother," and she recently was awarded the Montana Library Association's Librarian of the Year Award.

Jackson, a petite woman with wire-rimmed glasses and short hair, blushes at talk of the honor, but it's one that's been a long time coming, according to those who know and work with her.

"I have been working as a librarian in Montana for over 10 years. I knew, my very first week on the job, that Sue Jackson very well may be the most important librarian in the state," John Finn, MLA past president, wrote in Jackson's nomination letter. "Sue Jackson is, without a doubt one of the most important 'behind the scenes' librarians in the state of Montana. Her job title is Continuing Education Coordinator, but we all know that description is woefully inadequate."

Jackson grew up in Kansas, but a scholarship took her to the University of Texas, where she earned a master's degree in library science. She came north to Montana when a job with the state historical society became available.

"I was looking for mountains and trees, so I moved up here," she recalled with a smile. "I was an archivist and worked for the historical society for 13 years, then kind of got the wanderlust."

She took off with a friend and traveled to Alaska twice, to Mexico, and "anywhere else we could drive," camping and bird watching along the way.

When she returned, Jackson spent a few years at Carroll College, merging their two cataloging systems into one that allows for automated access to materials. After a few years, she moved on to Shodair Children's Hospital, helping organize their genetics information, until a job opened at the state library.

Today, Jackson laughingly refers to her job as "giving away money." She works with the federal Library Services and Technology Act, a federal grant meant to help libraries throughout Montana better provide services and stay up to date on the information highway.

"She is fabulous," said Debbie Kramer, executive director of the Montana Library Association. "Before I was executive director, I was a county librarian for 12 years and Sue was a wonderful mentor.

"There's no question you can't ask her that she doesn't answer graciously. She sets up all of the educational opportunities for librarians in the state of Montana, and sets up the Montana Summer Institute, which offers us phenomenal opportunities and speakers. She's very much a behind-the-scenes kind of person."

Most of her days are spent in her second-floor office, handling logistics for management and leadership seminars, or doing one-on-one mentoring for fellow librarians who often are trying to keep their doors open in small communities with dwindling budgets.

"It's amazing what the librarians in our state, and elsewhere face these days; they have to be up to date in so many areas," Jackson said. "They're trying to keep up with technology, trying to get equipment, and keeping their expertise up to snuff.

"They're a special group, dedicated but not always appreciated like they should be."

And Jackson reflects the best of that group, Finn and Kramer agree.

"When I heard she was nominated for the award, I was tickled," Kramer said. "It was a long time coming. She is very worthy."

Reporter Eve Byron: 447-4076 or eve.byron@helenair.com