OLC Member Spotlight
Meet Sheila Ward, Library Customer Specialist, Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library (CHPL)
Sheila Ward has been a member of OLC for three years and in this relatively short time, she has made the most of her OLC membership through active and meaningful participation. Read what Ward has to say about her OLC experience here and how you can find opportunities to become more involved with OLC!
What do you love most about your job?
I love that I get to meet and serve customers from many diverse backgrounds. I enjoy providing customers with resources and information to enhance their lives. Also, my values align with the mission, beliefs, and pillars of excellence at CHPL.
Why did you become involved with OLC?
OLC has so much to offer in the way of education, training, and committee work. Although I have served on many committees during my career at CHPL, I thought getting involved with OLC would be a great way to engage with colleagues outside of CHPL. Through volunteering, I’ve met people who can provide new and different perspectives of librarianship for me.
What was the first OLC event you attended?
The first event I attended was the OLC’s Evening Reception in September 2019, which was held at our Main Library in downtown Cincinnati. The event was part of the OLC’s Convention and Expo. The energy and excitement were infectious!
How has OLC membership and participation contributed to your professional development and career success?
Being a member of OLC has given me other learning paths to explore and an opportunity to continue my lifelong learning goal. While filling my knowledge bucket, I also get the chance to offer up other resources to my colleagues as well.
What is your favorite OLC memory?
In addition to the opportunity to assist with the OLC’s Convention and Expo event, I would have to say, it was my first in person meeting at the OLC Office in October 2023. I got to meet and get to know the other members whom I’m serving on the committee with and we had the opportunity to enjoy lunch together.
What is the best professional advice you’ve been given?
My mom once told me to never stop learning and just be myself!
Where can you sometimes be found in your free time?
I love spending some of my free time with my granddaughter Imani. She and I like visiting different parks in the Cincinnati area, and walking the trails.
Interested in learning more about serving on an OLC committee or division?
Check the OLC website. There you will find information about how to get more involved with OLC. Do you know someone who might like to become an OLC Individual member? Please share this article with them or contact Jeanine D’Andrea, Director of Membership Services, at jdandrea@olc.org.
If you are interested in being featured by the OLC’s Membership Committee, please complete the Member Spotlight questionnaire on the OLC website. While we can’t guarantee that everyone will be spotlighted, we will endeavor to spotlight as many as possible over time.
