State Senator Dolan Receives Andrew Carnegie Award

photo of Smith and Dolan with award

State Senator Matt Dolan (right) accepts the Andrew Carnegie Award from Jay Smith, OLC’s Director of Government and Legal Services.

April 26, 2023 — The Ohio Library Council (OLC) continues its tradition of recognizing individuals who support Ohio’s public libraries and advocate on their behalf in the state legislature. State Senator Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) was named the recipient of the Andrew Carnegie Award for his unwavering support of Ohio’s public libraries. He was presented with the award during the Ohio Library Day at the Ohio Statehouse.

Senator Dolan is currently serving his second term in the Ohio Senate, representing portions of Cuyahoga County. He chairs the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees the state’s operating budget. Senator Dolan also served three terms in the Ohio House of Representatives. While in the House, he served as Chairman of the Finance and Appropriations Committee during his second term.

“Senator Dolan has been a champion for public libraries throughout his time in the Ohio House and Senate. He has a keen understanding of the essential role libraries play in communities across our state,” said Michelle Francis, Executive Director, Ohio Library Council. “His efforts to ensure public library funding and quality public library service to all Ohioans exemplify the true spirit of Andrew Carnegie, the father of the modern public library.”

About the Andrew Carnegie Award
This award is presented to members of the Ohio General Assembly who have exhibited outstanding support of public libraries and advocated on their behalf in the state legislature. Former recipients of this award include Governors, Ohio House Speakers, and Ohio Senate Presidents. This award is so named because no one person has given more to public libraries than Andrew Carnegie.