2026 Emerging Leader Award

The Ohio Library Council has selected Emmie Troyer, Mobile Services Supervisor at Tuscarawas County Public Library, as the recipient of the 2026 Emerging Leader Award. In a remarkably short time, Troyer has demonstrated exceptional leadership, initiative, and a deep commitment to expanding access to library services throughout Tuscarawas County.

Troyer began her library career in 2024 in the Children's Department at Tuscarawas County Public Library, where her passion for serving others was evident from the start. Recognizing a need among local Spanish-speaking families, she developed an ESL program that supported adults learning English while providing engaging activities for their children, creating a welcoming environment where entire families could learn together.

In 2025, Troyer stepped into the role of Mobile Services Supervisor, assuming responsibility for countywide outreach services and leading a team of four. She embraced the opportunity by seeking guidance from experienced outreach professionals and building relationships with neighboring library systems. Through collaboration and a willingness to learn, she gained new perspectives and developed strategies to strengthen and expand mobile services throughout the county.

Troyer assumed this leadership role during a significant transition for the library's outreach services. The department was moving from a cargo van stocked with books in milk crates to a fully equipped bookmobile, requiring changes to both operations and service delivery. Recognizing that the new model also required schools to rethink how they interacted with the library, Troyer worked closely with teachers and administrators to build enthusiasm for the transition. By highlighting the benefits of allowing students to browse the collection and select books based on their own interests, she successfully introduced the new bookmobile model to schools across the library's service area. Her leadership strengthened partnerships with educators while creating a better library experience for young readers.

Always eager to learn and grow, Troyer actively invests in her professional development. She regularly attends OLC Outreach forums and events, completed the NEO-RLS New Supervisor Academy, and continually seeks opportunities to learn from colleagues. She also develops presentations for staff and community organizations that explain the many ways Mobile Services connects people with library resources.

That same dedication is reflected in her service to the community. Whether delivering library materials to homebound residents, connecting families with educational opportunities, or introducing students to the joy of choosing their own books through the bookmobile, Troyer approaches every interaction with enthusiasm, professionalism, and genuine care for the people she serves.

The Emerging Leader Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional promise, innovation, and commitment to the future of libraries. Through her creativity, collaborative leadership, and unwavering dedication to public service, Emmie Troyer exemplifies those qualities. Her ability to identify needs, build meaningful partnerships, and expand access to library services has already made a lasting impact on her community and reflects the promise of the next generation of library leaders.

Troyer 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.