OLC Announces 2026 Awards and Honors Recipients

The Ohio Library Council (OLC) is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2026 Awards and Honors, recognizing individuals whose leadership, innovation, advocacy, and service have made a lasting impact on Ohio's public libraries and the communities they serve.

The 2026 Awards and Honors recipients are:

Hall of Fame Librarian

Janet Ingraham Dwyer, Library Consultant, State Library of Ohio

Librarian of the Year

Paula Brehm-Heeger, Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library

Service Excellence Award

Steven Haynie, Branch Manager, South Euclid-Lyndhurst Branch, Cuyahoga County Public Library

Local Library Champion Award

Lu Ann Stanley, Member, Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation Board

Emerging Leader Award

Emmie Troyer, Mobile Services Supervisor, Tuscarawas County Public Library

Library Innovation Award

Reading Railroad, developed by Dr. Karlos L. Marshall, Director of Community Impact and Innovation, and Robert Owens, M.Ed., Community Impact and Innovation Manager, Dayton Metro Library

Citizen of the Year Award*

Thomas Suddes, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Instruction, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University and member of the Editorial Board of The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com.

The accomplishments of this year's recipients reflect the qualities Ohioans value most in their public libraries. Earlier this year, statewide research found that 90% of Ohio voters say public libraries are important to their local communities, and 87% say they receive good value from the taxes they pay. Nearly seven in 10 Ohioans also recall a specific time when their library helped them personally, demonstrating the meaningful difference libraries make in people's lives.

“This year's award recipients are a powerful example of why Ohioans place such a high value on their public libraries," said Michelle Francis, Executive Director of the Ohio Library Council. "From helping children build strong literacy skills to creating innovative programs and meaningful community partnerships, these honorees are changing lives every day. Their leadership and dedication demonstrate the lasting impact libraries have on the people they serve."

Award recipients will be formally recognized during the Awards and Honors Luncheon at OLC’s 2026 Convention and Expo at the Kalahari Convention Center in Sandusky. All members are invited to join us on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 11:30 a.m. to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of this year’s honorees. Registration is available on the OLC website.

Special thanks to the members of the Awards and Honors Committee, who generously volunteer their time to diligently review nominations and select recipients.

*Citizen of the Year is selected by the OLC Board of Directors based on nominations from the public library community.