It is with a grateful heart and much sadness that the CPH Friends accepted the resignation of Jo Anne Robbins from the Board of Directors. For more than two decades Jo Anne has been a fierce and passionate advocate for the CPH Library and made significant contributions to the work of the Friends.
Recruited in 1996 by former Librarian, Friends Board Liason, and Friends Board Member, Kathy Browne, Jo Anne was among the founding members who incorporated the Friends, wrote its by-laws and filed for tax exempt status.
With the administrative business behind her, she moved on to the work she cared most about…the many different ways the newly formed Friends organization could support the library. She served is its First Vice President from 1997-1998, Second Vice President from 2004-2007 and President from 2008-2011.
At various points during her tenure, she chaired several of its major committees. She was among three people recruited by the library’s Board of Trustee to help develop a comprehensive campaign to educate the community on the need for a new, larger library building. Following the success of that campaign and until September 2025, Jo Anne continued to chair the Friends Get Out the Vote Committee (GOTV) that encourages voter turnout to approve the annual library budget and elect trustees.
Jo Anne has been the editor of the Book Friendly newsletter, an active member of the Two Towns One Book Steering Committee (TTOB), a co-chair of the Used Book Sale (UBS), and the Travel Coordinator. She was also a champion recruiter of board members, credited with bringing on 10 of the current board members.
When asked about her favorite events at the library, she quickly responded with “author events” and then delved into a deep discussion of the many different author events supported by the Friends over the years. Musing on what she liked most about being a part of the Friends, she said she loved helping the organization grow and develop and fulfill its mission in the best way possible.
As you can imagine, Jo Anne will be missed. We wish her well as she puts her energy into new causes and organizations.