Joanne R. Artz received her B.A. from the University of Vermont, A.M. L.S. from the University of Michigan, and her M.A. from West Georgia College. She served as the president of the Georgia Library Association from 1981-1983, and as its secretary-treasurer in the Government Documents Interest Group. While at West Georgia College, she served on the faculty as the Librarian Associate Professor from 1981-1997, as well as the Faculty Advisor for the National Organization for Women from 1982-1988. During her involvement with the NOW, she served as the secretary and newsletter editor in 1983, the president in 1985, and the public information officer in 1986. She participated in the NOW Georgia State Conference in 1984 and 1986, and served as the head advocate for the chapter's Take Back the Night walk in 1987.

She most recently served as the Assistant Director and Head of User Services at the David L. Rice Library at the University of Southern Indiana.