Janis grew up in Northern New York State near the St. Lawrence River. She held professional positions in public libraries in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts before moving to California. She joined the Santa Cruz Public Libraries as a part-time Children’s Librarian and retired in July 2019 as Assistant Director. Janis served as Interim Library Director for 13 months during the campaign and passage of the Measure S Library Facilities measure. She is a printmaker, a member of the Printmakers at the Tannery co-op (PATT) at the Tannery Arts Center, and was juried into the California Society of Printmakers.
Janis serves as President of the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries.