What is OLC? Infographic 
The Ohio Library Council is the statewide professional association which represents the interests of Ohio's public libraries as well as their staffs, trustees, and Friends.
OLC has identified one person at each library system with the knowledge to help library staff learn more about membership in the OLC. These Library Recruitment Officers can help you with a variety of questions about OLC membership.
Who can join?
Individual membership in the Ohio Library Council is open to:
- students in a school of librarianship, library technology or a library trainee program;
- any staff member of a library or library organization;
- former or retired library staff members who are not currently employed by a library-related organization or commercial vendor;
- self-employed providing services to libraries;
- former members of library boards of trustees; and
- professors, administrators or instructors of library science.
There are separate membership categories for libraries to join as institutional members, Friends groups to join as Friends members and vendors to join as associate members. Current library trustees automatically become trustee members of the OLC when their library joins.
What's in it for me?
Support - OLC members receive the benefit of the OLC's aggressive and productive advocacy efforts the state legislature, the Governor's office, and other areas of state government to assure that Ohio's public library systems are well-funded and maintain their national standing as the very best.
Education - OLC members receive reduced registration rates for a variety of events designed to help library staff keep up with the ever-changing world of information science and maintain the excellence that Ohioans have come to expect from their public libraries.
Information - OLC members receive regular updates on news and information that affects Ohio's public libraries through the OLC Web site, RSS feeds, blogs and other electronic communications from the OLC staff and OLC committees, division, and chapters.
Growth - OLC members have access to numerous opportunities for networking and involvement through OLC committees, divisions, and chapters. These opportunities to plan meetings, develop educational programming, evaluate trends, and develop resources for other OLC members help prepare library staff for leadership roles within their own libraries. In addition, the OLC's Jobline provides a listing of career opportunities in library service available in Ohio and the country.
Community - OLC members can learn more about OLC events or connect and share resources online through OLC's social networking communities:
How much does it cost?
Individual members pay annual dues based on their salaries (see below). Many libraries pay all or a portion of OLC membership dues for their staff members so be sure to ask the library's human resources coordinator, a manager or the library's director. The OLC keeps a list of Honor Roll Libraries that pay 100% of their staff's OLC membership dues.
| Salary Range |
Dues |
| Students, Retirees |
$25 |
| $9,999 or less |
$25 |
| $10,000 - 17,999 |
$40 |
| $18,000 - 24,999 |
$55 |
| $25,000 - 39,999 |
$75 |
| $40,000 - 59,999 |
$90 |
| $60,000 - 89,999 |
$120 |
| $90,000 or more |
$150 |
| Lifetime |
$1,000 |
How do I Join?
Prospective members can join by sending a completed membership application by mail or fax.
How do I get involved?
The OLC relies on more than 350 elected and appointed volunteer leaders each year to guide the OLC in its activities and assist OLC staff with meeting planning, program selection, trends evaluation, and member communication. The OLC hears from many volunteers that their participation in OLC's leadership has helped them improve their skills, increase their knowledge of library funding, network with more of their peers, and advance in their careers. OLC members have a variety of opportunities to get involved in the OLC by volunteering to be on a committee, division, and chapter.
