2026 Hall of Fame Librarian

The Ohio Library Council has selected Janet Ingraham Dwyer as the 2026 Hall of Fame Librarian in honor of her extraordinary career of leadership, service, and dedication to Ohio's libraries.

For more than 36 years, Ingraham Dwyer has inspired and mentored library professionals, advanced innovative youth services, and championed early literacy initiatives that have strengthened libraries and communities across the state. Her collaborative spirit, generous mentorship, and unwavering commitment to the profession have left a lasting impact on generations of librarians and the families they serve.

As a Library Consultant at the State Library of Ohio, Ingraham Dwyer has been a driving force behind statewide initiatives that have shaped youth services and early literacy. She has led efforts such as Ohio Ready to Read and Take 5: A Youth Services Dialogue, helping libraries develop innovative programs that support children and teens. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she also helped launch the Day By Day Ohio Family Literacy Calendar, providing parents and caregivers with free, accessible literacy activities while creating new opportunities for library staff to connect virtually.

Throughout her career, Ingraham Dwyer has generously shared her expertise by mentoring colleagues, coaching emerging professionals, and guiding 17 practicum students into the library profession. Her influence extends far beyond those formal mentoring relationships, as countless librarians across Ohio credit Ingraham Dwyer with encouraging new ideas, fostering collaboration, and helping them grow as leaders.

Ingraham Dwyer's leadership has also reached the state and national levels through her service with numerous library organizations and professional associations. She has represented Ohio on the Collaborative Summer Library Program since 2009, served on statewide literacy and youth services initiatives, and remains an active member of organizations including the Ohio Library Council, Ohio Educational Library Media Association, Association for Library Service to Children, Young Adult Library Services Association, and the American Association of School Librarians. Beyond the library profession, Ingraham Dwyer has devoted her time to organizations including the Ohio Afterschool Network, CBUS Libraries, the Ohioana Library, and community volunteer efforts that reflect her lifelong commitment to service.

The Hall of Fame Librarian Award recognizes library professionals whose careers have made an enduring impact on Ohio libraries and the communities they serve. Through her visionary leadership, commitment to collaboration, and decades of dedicated service, Janet Ingraham Dwyer exemplifies the very best of the library profession.

She will be formally recognized during a special ceremony on October 21, 2026, at the Kalahari Convention Center in Sandusky as part of the Ohio Library Council's Convention and Expo.