Awards and Honors

Honoring the Best and Brightest in the Ohio Library Community

The Ohio Library Council presents major awards honoring individuals and organizations that make significant contributions to Ohio’s public library community. It’s an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the innovative and dedicated people who make Ohio’s libraries successful and vibrant. If you have a great co-worker or team in mind, please consider nominating them for an award.

Nominations open in 2025. 

Award and Honors Categories:

Hall of Fame Librarian

Librarian of the Year

Service Excellence Award

Local Library Champion Award

Emerging Leader Award

Library Innovation Award

Citizen of the Year Award*


Award recipients are chosen by the OLC’s Awards and Honors Committee based on a specific set of criteria and nominations and recommendations from the Ohio library community. The committee reserves the right to move a candidate(s) to another category if appropriate. If you have questions, please contact Jeanine D’Andrea, OLC Director of Membership Services or Krista Lackey, Chair of the Awards and Honors Committee.

*The Citizen of the Year Award recipient is selected by the OLC Board of Directors based on nominations from the public library community. Nominations are accepted throughout the year. If you have questions about the Citizen of the Year Award or wish to nominate someone, please contact Michelle Francis, OLC Executive Director, at mfrancis@olc.org.


Past Award Recipients:

2023 Recipients

2022 Recipients

Past Recipients List (PDF)