It is with great sadness that we dedicate our monthly volunteer recognition to Jo Ann Orsborn who recently passed away after a prolonged illness. Jo was a dedicated (and spirited!) volunteer in the CSPM Archives since 2017.
Among her many volunteer projects was the transcription of eleven years of Landell Bartlett’s personal journals. Bartlett’s words shed light on decades of local history, and Jo’s transcription project made these materials more accessible to the public and useful to researchers and CSPM staff alike.
Jo loved literature and had a real zest for life. She was also extremely sharp-witted and was deeply admired by the entire CSPM staff. She never stopped learning and even contributed to the COS@150 exhibit by writing an essay on Authors and Artists in Colorado Springs. You can read Jo’s contribution to the COS@150 exhibit here: https://staging.cspm.org/cos-150-story/authors-and-artists/.
Jo worked for many years at the Colorado College Bookstore and was always active in the Colorado Springs community. She was a longstanding member of both the Women’s Educational Society at Colorado College and a historic book club called The Reviewers. Additionally, she served on the Pikes Peak Library District’s Board of Trustees and spoke out in support of PPLD as a, “…bastion of democracy that protects First Amendment rights for all.”
We all treasure the time we spent working with Jo, and send our deepest condolences to her husband (and fellow CSPM volunteer) John Orsborn, and the entire Orsborn Family and friends.