Library Leaders, Authors and Award Winners Coming to Cleveland This Week to Celebrate OLC's 130th Anniversary

The Ohio Library Council (OLC) is celebrating a major milestone this week as it marks its 130th anniversary during the 2025 OLC Convention and Expo. The Convention will be held November 19–21 at the Huntington Convention Center in downtown Cleveland and is expected to draw more than 850 librarians and staff.

Since its inaugural meeting in Cleveland in 1895, the OLC has led the way in advancing the role of public libraries and strengthening communities across Ohio. This year’s Convention and Expo returns to the city where the organization began, Cleveland, to honor more than a century of leadership, service, and innovation.

“We are thrilled to return to Cleveland for this year’s Convention and Expo, especially as we celebrate such an important milestone,” said Michelle Francis, Executive Director of the Ohio Library Council. “For 130 years, Ohio’s public libraries have been centers of learning and opportunity for everyone. This event allows us to reflect on our history while also exploring the tools, ideas, and programs that will shape the future of library service for the next 100 years.”

The OLC will honor this year’s Hall of Fame Librarian and other award winners during a special ceremony on November 19 at 11:30 a.m. A full list of honorees is available at olc.org/news.

More than 60 vendors from around the country will be on site showcasing the latest library products, technologies, and services. Plus, dozens of educational sessions will highlight how libraries are meeting the needs of their communities—supporting literacy, expanding digital access, offering workforce development resources, and more.

Attendees will also hear from three acclaimed authors, Ruta Sepetys, Andre Norman, and Peter H. Reynolds, who will share inspiring messages about resilience, creativity, and the power of storytelling. The full schedule is available at olc.org/convention-expo.