Any child who attended Lincoln Elementary anytime in the past 20 years, chances are they left the library with a book in hand and a smile on their face – all thanks to Jo Van Amburg.

At the end of this school year, Van Amburg will retire from her role as Lincoln’s school librarian, marking the end of an era for Lincoln Elementary. For two decades, she has been a gentle and inspiring presence in the library, introducing generations of students to the joy of reading and the power of stories.

Van Amburg’s journey into education began after a career in journalism. She once worked as a staff reporter but after marrying her husband and starting a family, she shifted her focus to raising her children and supporting their schools through active involvement in the PTA taking on nearly every role available. When a position opened in the Lincoln Elementary School library, Van Amburg answered the call … and the rest is history.

She quickly made the space her own, curating age-appropriate themes and creating a welcoming atmosphere where every child could discover the magic of books. For the younger grades, she brought stories to life with engaging voices and enthusiasm, tailoring her selections to reflect seasons, holidays and meaningful topics. For older students, she emphasized the importance of library skills, ensuring that by the time they reached middle school they could confidently navigate any library on their own.

Van Amburg’s love of reading was contagious. Whether she was introducing chapter books to first graders eager for their next reading challenge or helping sixth graders find their next favorite novel, she approached each interaction with care and joy.

Van Amburg is quick to share the credit for her success. She expressed deep gratitude for the many talented and caring principals she’s worked with over the years – offering a special “thank you” to current principal Barbie Fariss for her consistent support and kindness. 

“Principal Fariss has always made sure we had the supplies we needed to keep the library running smoothly,” Van Amburg said.

She also extended a heartfelt thanks to the many Lincoln parents who volunteered in the library over the years, helping check books in and out, restocking shelves and assisting with the annual book fair. 

“The book fair has been our biggest fundraiser,” she noted, “and it’s thanks to the parents that we’ve been able to keep our library filled with exciting, new books that students love.”

As she prepares to turn the page to a new chapter, Van Amburg is looking forward to a slower pace – enjoying long walks around her neighborhood with her husband and son and making more visits to New York to visit her daughter.

“I truly loved this job,” she said. “There was never a day I didn’t look forward to coming to work. I just hope that in some small way, I helped students at Lincoln grow to love reading as much as I do.”

The staff and administrators (and students) of Lincoln Elementary will miss Jo Van Amburg – but her legacy will live on in every student who found joy in a book.

Contributed by Nicolas JAMES