The Ohio Educational Library Media Association (OELMA) is Ohio’s preeminent professional association for highly effective school librarians and libraries. They are committed to educational excellence and academic achievement and serve the needs of 21st Century learners and workers in a global society. Annually, the OELMA presents a Presidential Award to honor individuals who have shown notable service and significant contributions to school libraries. This year, the award was given to none other than Andrea Eshelman, our Education Sales Consultant, and she is beyond honored.
Receiving the award was such an honor for me, as it reflects the culture and mission of Gale – library advocacy. Ohio has been struggling, for years, with districts eliminating certified Media Specialists in their buildings and districts. The Ohio Educational Library Media Association is Ohio’s preeminent professional association for highly effective school librarians and libraries. OLEMA works very hard to provide programming, training and resources to grow and support its members toward excellence in their fields. They also work with legislators and districts to advocate for school libraries in Ohio. Gale has made it possible for me to support school librarians with their administrators. I work hard to make sure our school partners in education understand the value of the Gale resources in the classrooms and outside of the libraries. By proving this value, Gale resources can help Media Specialists continue to be a critical part of their district directive toward ensuring their graduates are College and Career Ready through our outstanding digital solutions. I’ve also been known to tell administrators, “You need a certified librarian in this building.”
I’m thrilled to be in a position to have a ‘voice’ for students, and advocate for school librarians and to offer teachers great tools to help students succeed – that is what it is all about. My son is in his second year in college. From his first week of classes, it was evident to me the great benefit he received from having a passionate certified librarian in our High School. I tell this story all over Ohio and Kentucky!
—Andrea Eshelman
Please join us in congratulating Andrea for all of her influential efforts this year.
About the Award Recipient
First, and most importantly, Andrea is a wife and mother of three teenaged children. Andrea has worked with K-12 schools and public libraries for 10 years as a trainer and Education Sales Consultant. She has a BA in Economics and English from Wittenberg University and MA in Middle Childhood Education from Kent State University. Andrea has authored several white papers and conducted training sessions throughout Ohio and the U.S. She has been with Gale, A Cengage Company, since September 2013 working with School Districts across Ohio and Kentucky.
For more information about The Ohio Educational Library Media Association, please visit www.oelma.org.Air Force 1 Sage Low