At the Ohio Library Council Board of Directors meeting on Jan. 18, 2019, Doug Evans announced his plans to retire as OLC Executive Director effective June 28, 2019. Evans has served in the role as the OLC’s executive director since June 2002.

“We are incredibly grateful to Doug for his leadership over these many years,” said Kacie Armstrong, Chair of the OLC Board. “He has guided the OLC through change and challenges, and has worked tirelessly with the OLC staff and library directors throughout the state in the best interests of Ohio’s public libraries. His mark on Ohio’s public library community will be felt for years to come.”

As the OLC’s Executive Director, Evans has been responsible for working with the Board of Directors and staff to formulate and implement the organization’s strategic direction, the day-to-day management, and the coordination of internal and external resources required to meet members’ needs. He provides the executive leadership for the OLC’s 13-member Board of Directors, develops and manages the OLC’s $1.4 million annual budget, and leads a team of nine management and support staff members.

The OLC Board of Directors will immediately begin the search process for the new executive leadership. A subcommittee of the Board of Directors chaired by Nick Tepe, Director, Athens County Public Libraries and Immediate Past Chair of the OLC Board, will oversee the search process will oversee the search process, with the goal of identifying a new executive Director prior to Evans’s departure. During the six months leading up to his retirement, Evans will work with the OLC Board as they search for and transition to new executive leadership.

Prior to joining the OLC, Evans served in several management and senior staff leadership positions with the Ohio State Medical Association from June 1984 – June 2002. From February 1982 – June 1994 he was Director of Public Relations and Development for the Central Ohio Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Evans is a 1981 graduate of the Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism.