Beloved Edison Library Employee Retires After Decade Of Community Service

EDISON, NJ - The Edison Public Library bid farewell to a beloved longtime employee as Robert "Robbie" Robbins retired after a decade of dedicated service to the community.

Library staff gathered on July 23 to honor Robbins, who spent most of his tenure as Building and Grounds Supervisor after joining the system in 2015. The Edison Township resident of over 30 years began working part-time in maintenance before transitioning to full-time Bookmobile driver, then advancing to his supervisory role around his first anniversary.

In his leadership position, Robbins ensured daily operations ran smoothly by maintaining safe, clean facilities for staff and patrons while managing supply orders. Over the past year, he played a crucial role in renovation projects at both the Main Library and North Edison Branch, coordinating material relocations and establishing temporary spaces.

"Whatever maintenance was required in the buildings, that was my responsibility, and I loved doing it," said Robbins, whose background includes work as a mechanic, truck driver, construction company owner, and part-time property manager. "“I have always enjoyed working with my hands, and it was my job to make sure anything that needed to be done or repaired, and that any safety issues were addressed.”

Branch Manager Radha Dhanyamraju praised Robbins' contributions over their eight-year working relationship. "Robbie was such an integral part of our Library system, always going above and beyond to ensure that all the buildings were clean, safe and well-maintained. Additionally, during the renovations, he really stepped up and his hard work did not go unnoticed,” Dhanyamraju, who worked alongside Robbins for eight years, said.

Robbins and his wife Denise, a retired Edison Township Schools teacher, recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. The couple plans to relocate to Lititz, Pennsylvania, later this month to be closer to their daughter Jessica and grandsons Noah and Connor.

Rather than embracing full retirement, Robbins anticipates tackling home projects, finding part-time work, and making regular trips back to New Jersey to visit the community connections he's built over the years.

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