[SEO-Members] The State Library Recognizes Beverly Cain for Service

[marshams at library.ohio.gov]

[A person holding a book  Description automatically generated with low confidence]Yesterday, the State Library Board and staff bid farewell to Beverly Cain. Beverly was appointed Interim State Librarian beginning April 29, 2024. She served in that role throughout the search process, appointment, and start date of Mandy Knapp as the new State Librarian of Ohio.  Much has changed in state government, library operations, and use of technology because of the pandemic and passage of time. However, Beverly returned to her former leadership role with ease, confidence, and grace. She quickly reconnected with her former staff and forged positive connections with staff onboarded since her retirement. Although her leadership role at the State Library was temporary, Beverly recognized and understood when decisive changes were necessary and when planning for change beyond her tenure was critical.

Beverly retired after ten years as Agency Director and State Librarian of Ohio on March 31, 2020. As State Librarian, Beverly led both innovative and needs-based initiatives and positioned the State Library as a leader and exemplary partner in collaborations with Ohio's libraries and library organizations. She implemented a strategic plan with a vision of a Smarter Ohio, focusing on improving access to collections and use of meeting rooms for state government employees, growing statewide library resource sharing and collaboration, and using federal IMLS funds for special Ohio Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants to encourage collection development of books by award winning Ohio authors and illustrators and assist libraries to join an existing library consortium. Her retirement coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when the State Library and most state and local government entities had closed their facilities. It would be another two years before a small reception honoring her retirement would be held in conjunction with a State Library Board resolution to recognize her contributions from ten years of service.

Beverly looks forward to resuming retirement but also appreciates the chance to return to the State Library on a temporary basis. "People have been thanking me for returning to the State Library to serve as the Interim State Librarian, but in reality, I should be thanking them," she expressed. "It has been an opportunity for me to have the closure I didn't have in 2020 due to the pandemic, and it's been an honor to work with the State Library staff and Board on the search for the new State Librarian, and to open conversations regarding a potential change in location."

On January 16, 2025, the State Library Board recognized Beverly Cain for her service as Interim State Librarian with the following resolution:

WHEREAS, Beverly Cain graciously answered the call to assume the role of Interim Executive Director/State Librarian, disrupting her well-deserved retirement to serve Ohio, colleagues, and patrons of the State Library of Ohio once again; and

WHEREAS, Beverly Cain demonstrated her outstanding professionalism through her calm, thoughtful, and decisive leadership of the State Library of Ohio from April 29, 2024, through December 30, 2024, remaining onsite through January 16, 2025, to ease the transition; and

WHEREAS, Beverly Cain has worked diligently to support the staff and programs of the State Library while guiding the State Library Board through the selection of and transition to the next State Librarian;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of the State Library Board, meeting in regular session this day of January 16, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio, express their individual and collective gratitude and appreciation for Beverly Cain and wish her a long, healthy, and joyful return to her retirement with complete satisfaction of a job well done!

https://library.ohio.gov/beverly-cain-recognized
[cid:image004.jpg at 01DB68EB.E0135C10]<https://library.ohio.gov/beverly-cain-recognized>

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Marsha McDevitt-Stredney
Director, Marketing & Communications
State Library of Ohio
274 E. 1st Avenue
Columbus, OH 43201
Tel: 614.644.6875
marshams at library.ohio.gov<mailto:marshams at library.ohio.gov>
library.ohio.gov<https://library.ohio.gov/>

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