[SEO-Members] Janet Ingraham Dwyer to Receive the 2026 Ohio Library Council Hall of Fame Librarian Award

[marshams at library.ohio.gov]

[Janet Ingraham Dwyer standing in front of sunflowers]The State Library of Ohio is proud to announce that Janet Ingraham Dwyer has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Ohio Library Council (OLC) Hall of Fame Librarian Award. The OLC Hall of Fame Librarian Award recognizes library professionals whose careers have made an enduring impact on Ohio libraries and the communities they serve.  This prestigious honor recognizes Janet’s exemplary career of service, leadership, collaboration, mentorship, and dedication to Ohio’s libraries.

“Janet Ingraham Dwyer’s visionary leadership, generous mentorship, and lifelong commitment to early literacy have transformed Ohio’s libraries and inspired generations of professionals,” expressed State Librarian Mandy Knapp.

As the Youth Services Library Consultant at the State Library of Ohio since 2009, Janet has played a pivotal role in developing and advancing initiatives that strengthen library youth services and promote early literacy on both state and national levels. She has been a driving force behind numerous programs and initiatives, including Ohio Ready to Read, a partnership between the Ohio Library Council and the State Library; the Collaborative Summer Library Program; library participation in the USDA Summer Food Service Program; Choose to Read Ohio and the Floyd’s Pick Book Award; and Building Community-Based Summers. Through her leadership and collaboration, Janet has helped expand opportunities for children, families, and communities across Ohio to engage with libraries and develop a lifelong love of reading.

“For more than three decades, Janet Ingraham Dwyer has been a guiding light for Ohio’s librarians,” State Library Board President Drew Wichterman added. “She is known for championing early literacy, elevating youth services, and inspiring generations of professionals with her generosity, vision, and unwavering commitment to young people in our state.”

“This is a tremendous affirmation from the OLC Awards and Honors Committee and from my kind, generous colleagues who contributed to my nomination,” expressed Ingraham Dwyer. “I credit Ohio's library workers. My role is simply to support, encourage, and amplify their great work. This honor is theirs. Librarians have told me I inspired them to serve summer and afterschool meals, to educate families about early literacy, and to develop programs that center teens' creativity and agency. They are the ones nourishing, nurturing, and empowering their communities! I love this job; I get to work for these heroes.”

In 2025 Janet was recognized with the “Ignite and Inspire” Award from the Ohio Afterschool Network, and in 2023 she received the OELMA Presidential Award for her high level of service to that organization.

Janet earned a Master of Library Science (MLS) degree from University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English Literature from George Washington University.
All 2026 honorees have demonstrated outstanding leadership and remarkable dedication to providing the best possible library service. They will receive their awards at the Awards and Honors Luncheon<https://events.resultsathand.com/olc/3924/agenda.html#session/142182> on October 21 at the OLC Convention and Expo in Sandusky at the Kalahari Convention Center.

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[State Library of Ohio logo]

Marsha McDevitt-Stredney
Director, Marketing & Communications
State Library of Ohio
35 E. Chestnut St., Floor 5
Columbus, OH 43215-2477
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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