The Ohio Library Council (OLC) will hold its annual Convention and Expo on Sept. 27-29 in downtown Cincinnati. The event is expected to draw 800 people to the Duke Energy Convention Center and nearby venues. Representing the public library community, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in educational sessions, view exhibits, and hear from some of the nation’s best-selling authors.

“We’re excited to be in Cincinnati this week for our Convention and Expo,” said Michelle Francis, Executive Director, Ohio Library Council. “Our members are looking forward to meeting with colleagues from the tri-state area as well as exploring the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library, local restaurants, and other downtown attractions. Cincinnati is the perfect place for us to connect, share ideas, and celebrate the people who make Ohio’s public libraries the best in the country.”

Attendees will get a chance to try out the latest technology including coding robots, virtual reality headsets, e-health kits, voice assistants and more. More than 60 vendors from across the country will be on hand in the exhibit hall. Educational sessions will focus on what libraries are doing to help their communities from supporting students with reading and homework help to providing technology training and resume assistance for job seekers.

The OLC will also honor this year’s Hall of Fame Librarian and other award winners during a special ceremony on September 27 at 11:30 a.m. A complete list of award recipients including the 2023 Hall of Fame Librarian and Librarian of the Year can be found at olc.org/about-us/awards.

The Convention and Expo will feature keynote presentations from award-winning authors Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy, Justin A. Reynolds, and Jennifer Pastiloff. The conference agenda can be found at olc.org/convention-expo.