Bethel Park native named executive director of State Library of Ohio
State Library of Ohio
Editor’s note: This story was updated Feb. 10 to clarify the number of staff Knapp oversees.
Mandy Knapp, 42, a native of Bethel Park, was recently appointed to lead the State Library of Ohio as its executive director.
A resident of Westerville, Ohio, Knapp has more than 20 years of experience in both public and academic libraries.
In her new role, Knapp oversees a staff of 46 employees located in two locations (Columbus and Caldwell, Ohio), and has nine direct reporting staff members. She will communicate with the State Library Board and work collaboratively on the vision to bring information to people.
In a press release, State Library Board President Janet Carlton said, “Ms. Knapp’s extensive and varied background in libraries and public library administration positions her as an outstanding candidate to head the State Library.”
Knapp holds a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Management from Ohio State University, a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Otterbein College in Ohio.
A 2001 graduate of Bethel Park High School, Knapp found her calling as an undergraduate at Otterbein. “That’s where I fell in love with libraries,” she said.
Always a reader, she fondly recalls Bethel Park’s public library and Carnegie Library. “My mom, as a special treat growing up, would take us to Carnegie Library.”
“But I never really considered it as a job until I went to college and I had a work study job. My work study job was to work at the college library, Courtright Memorial Library, and I felt like I entered this whole adult world where having a job isn’t so bad,” Knapp said.
She began her career at Worthington (Ohio) Library. Her most recent position was manager of the Westerville Public Library’s Uptown Branch.
Her past achievements include managing the Ohio eBook Project, and she was instrumental in the Guiding Ohio Online AmeriCorps program placing AmeriCorps volunteers serving as technology trainers in rural libraries.
Knapp has been honored as an American Library Association Emerging Leader and Journal Mover and Shaker.
“I think what I bring (to the State Library) is a true passion for libraries and for helping people. I sincerely believe every person is worthy, and the only reason people make bad choices is because they don’t have the right information. So connecting people with good information is the way to lift up everyone,” said Knapp.