FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 7, 2007

Contact: Linda R. Hengst, Executive Director Ohioana Library
Phone: 614-466-3831
Email: lhengst@ohioana.org

New Ohio Literary Map Celebrates Ohio's Literary Legacy

Ordering Information

Columbus, OH – August 7, 2007 . . . The Ohioana Library, State Library of Ohio, and Ohio Center for the Book at the Cleveland Public Library collaborated to produce the new Ohio Literary Map, a guide to the rich literary legacy of the Buckeye State. The colorful two-sided map folds to the size of a book. When open, one size depicts the state and its counties, literary landmarks, the birthplace or residence of 90 authors, and the photos of some of our most famous authors. The other side lists more than 200 writers by genre, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, journalism/publishing, drama, crime/mystery, science fiction/fantasy, history, cartoons/graphic novels, humor, and children's literature.

Thousands of Ohioans have made substantial and lasting contribution to America’s literary. While it is impossible to list all of the many notable writers on the map a representative sampling of the talented authors who have called Ohio home are presented with at least one author from almost all of Ohio’s 88 counties.

Although the Ohio Literary Map was created for students in 3rd through 12th grades, it has much to offer for people of all ages. Designed by Micah Leibowitz of MBL Design in Cleveland, the map will be distributed to all Ohio public libraries, schools, bookstores and institutions of higher learning by this fall.

This is the fourth generation of Ohio literary maps produced by the Ohioana Library. The first was designed by Columbus artist Mark Russell and published in 1957 with the cooperation with the Columbus English Club.. The second, printed in 1983, was designed by Donald Wentz of Dodrill Design Studio in Columbus. The third, published in 1995, was the Ohioana Ohio Literary Map designed by nationally known Columbus illustrator Benton Mahan. It was made possible by a grant from the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Fund through the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

The mission of the Ohioana Library Association is to: recognize and encourage the creative accomplishments of Ohioans, preserve and expand a permanent archive of books, sheet music, manuscripts and other materials by Ohioans and about Ohio, and disseminate information about the work of Ohio writers, musicians and other artists to researchers, schools, and the general public.

The Mission of the Ohio Center for the Book at the Cleveland Public Library is to promote and celebrate books, reading, literacy, and libraries to Ohio’s citizens and the book community at large. The Ohio Center for the Book is one of the 50 state affiliates of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

Established in 1817, the State Library of Ohio mission is to lead and partner in the development of library services throughout Ohio; to promote and enable resource sharing among libraries and library networks; and to provide access to information for Ohio's state government ensure that all Ohio residents, rich and poor, rural or urban, receive the best possible library service and are able to engage in lifelong learning which strengthens the economic health of Ohio.

Maps can be ordered no cost for the map, but with a postage and handling fee of $3.00 for the first map and $0.50 for each additional map, with a maximum of 5 maps per envelope. Special arrangement must be made for larger quantities. Send requests to Ohioana Library Association, 274 E. First Avenue, Suite 300, Columbus, OH 43201 or e-mail ohioana@ohioana.org for more information.