The Ohioana Library sponsors several different awards to recognize the accomplishments of
talented Ohioans. The awards, presented at the annual Ohioana Day Luncheon held each year in the fall, are
briefly described below. Use the links below to obtain more detailed information, nomination forms,
and names of past honorees.
Ohioana Career Award
Awarded to a native
Ohioan who has had an outstanding career in the arts and humanities. The Career Award has been suspended.
Ohioana Pegasus Award
Awarded for a unique and outstanding cultural
contribution by an Ohioan. The Pegasus Award has been suspended.
Ohioana Book Awards
May be awarded for fiction,
nonfiction, juvenile books, poetry, and books about Ohio or Ohioans. Six awards may be given each year.
Authors must be native Ohioans or have lived in Ohio for a minimum of five years.
A book about Ohio or an Ohioan, not written by an Ohioan, may also be considered.
Books must be received by the Ohioana Library during the calendar year prior to the year the award is given and
have a copyright date within the last two calendar years. Nominations due December 31 each year.
James P. Barry Ohioana Award for Editorial Excellence
Awarded to an Ohio-based serial (journal, magazine, newspaper, etc.) that covers subjects of interest to the Ohioana Library namely culture,
history, literature, the arts or the general humanities. This award has been suspended.
Ohioana Citations
Awarded for distinguished service in specific fields
or areas of the arts and humanities. The Citation Awards have been suspended.
Helen and Laura Krout Memorial Ohioana Poetry Award
Award of $1,000 to
an author whose body of work has made, and continues to make, a significant contribution to poetry, and through whose work as a writer,
teacher, administrator, or in community service, interest in poetry has been developed. The recipient must have been born in
Ohio or lived in Ohio for a minimum of five years. This award is presented periodically.
Alice Louise Wood Memorial Ohioana Children's Literature Award
Award of $1,000 to an author whose body of work has made, and continues to make, a significant contribution to literature for children or young adults.
The recipient must have been born in Ohio or lived in Ohio for a minimum of five years. This award is presented periodically.
Walter Rumsey Marvin Grant
Award of $1,000 to a writer under thirty years of
age who has not had a book published. Up to six pieces may be submitted. The recipient must have been born in Ohio or lived in
Ohio for a minimum of five years. Nominations due January 31 each year.
Recipients will receive their awards at Ohioana Day, which is celebrated in the autumn of each year.
Additional Awards
Robert Fox Award for Young Writers
Presented to Ohio 9th through 12th graders to recognize literary talent. The Robert Fox Award has been suspended.
Florence Roberts Head Award
Periodic special award established by the American Association of University Women, Book Study Group I, in memory of
Florence Roberts Head (Mrs. Depew).
