Paula Brehm-Heeger, the director who oversees the Blue Ash Branch Library and the rest of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library system, has been named Ohio's 2026 Librarian of the Year by the Ohio Library Council.
The award, announced the week of Tuesday, Aug. 4, is what the council calls its highest individual honor. It recognizes Brehm-Heeger's work expanding programs that Blue Ash and Montgomery residents use, including the Telescope Lending Program, literacy initiatives for children and adults, senior social-isolation reduction efforts and job-seeker services.
"Every decision must strengthen the Library's ability to serve the people of Hamilton County," Brehm-Heeger said in a library blog post announcing the honor.
Blue Ash Branch sees direct benefits
The Blue Ash Branch Library at 4911 Cooper Road was among new locations added to the Telescope Lending Program in July 2026, bringing the system-wide total to more than 25 kits. Each kit includes an Orion StarBlast 4.5 Dobsonian Telescope, three astronomy books, a 30–40° North Latitude guide and a red LED flashlight. Patrons can borrow one for seven days with a library card in good standing.
Cincinnati-based astronomer Dean Regas, who partnered with The Library Foundation to grow the collection, said in a July 3 blog post that it would "probably, by far, be one of the largest groups of Library telescopes in, at least, the region."
The branch also launched its Summer Reading Program on May 30. Youth librarian Sarah Wasson presented the program to [Blue Ash City Council](https://www.blueash.com/document_center/2026 Council Files/Minutes/5-28-26 Council Minutes - FINAL.pdf) on May 28, telling members that participants can earn prizes for completing reading challenges.
Statewide advocacy
Beyond Hamilton County, Brehm-Heeger has advocated for library funding at the Ohio Statehouse and through leadership roles with the Ohio Library Council. Angela Hursh, the library system's brand and communications director, wrote in the Aug. 5 blog post: "Libraries don't earn awards. People do. This recognition is a story about the people and communities they serve."
She will be formally recognized at the Ohio Library Council's 2026 Convention and Expo in Sandusky in October.
Upcoming at Blue Ash Branch Library
- Summer Reading Program — ongoing through summer 2026; prizes for completed reading challenges
- Telescope Lending — seven-day checkout with a valid library card
- Writer-in-Residence — YA author Intisar Khanani, who wrote much of her published work at the Blue Ash branch, serves as CHPL's 2026 Writer-in-Residence
