Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine
2026 Andrew Carnegie Award Recipients
The Ohio Library Council has selected Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio’s First Lady Fran DeWine, as recipients of the prestigious Andrew Carnegie Award. The honor recognizes their unwavering support of Ohio’s public libraries and their strong commitment to expanding early childhood literacy across the state.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio’s First Lady Fran DeWine played a pivotal role in strengthening the partnership between Ohio’s public libraries and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, significantly expanding access to books for young children and helping more Ohio students enter kindergarten ready to read. Through the program, children from birth to age five receive a free book each month, helping families build home libraries and encouraging a lifelong love of reading.
Governor DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine read with preschoolers at the Lima Public Library.
Their leadership has also reinforced the essential role public libraries play in advancing evidence-based literacy instruction, including practices aligned with the Science of Reading. Governor DeWine has consistently highlighted how libraries provide reading programs and instructional resources that support students, families, and educators statewide.
Mrs. DeWine has been a frequent visitor to library storytimes, where she reads with young children and talks with parents and caregivers about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio. Her visits to libraries across the state have helped shine a spotlight on the importance of early literacy and the welcoming role libraries play for families with young children.
“Governor and Mrs. DeWine recognize that libraries are gateways to opportunity for children, families, and entire communities,” said Michelle Francis, executive director of the Ohio Library Council. “Their leadership has translated into meaningful investments in early literacy and continued support for the essential services libraries provide every day. Our libraries share their vision of helping every child become a confident reader and ensuring students have the skills they need to succeed in school and throughout life. Their work reflects Andrew Carnegie’s enduring belief that access to knowledge creates opportunity for everyone.”
Andrew Carnegie Award Past Recipients
2023 - Matt Dolan, Senator (24)
2022 - Jay Hottinger, Senate President
2020 - Larry Obhof, Senate President
2017 - Ryan Smith, Representative (93)
2013 - Bill Beagle, Senator (5)
2005 - John Carey, Senator (17)
2003 - Mark Mallory, Senator (9)
2002 - Larry Householder, House Speaker
2001 - Randy Gardner, Senator (18)
1999 - Roy Ray, Senator (27)
1998 - Priscilla Mead, Representative (28)
1997 - George Voinovich, Governor
1996 - Richard Finan, Senator (7)
1995 - Vern Riffe, House Speaker
1995 - Stan Aronoff, Senate President
About the Andrew Carnegie Award
The Andrew Carnegie Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding support for public libraries. The award honors the legacy of Andrew Carnegie, whose philanthropy established thousands of public libraries and helped expand access to knowledge and education in Ohio and around the country.