In every thriving literary community, there are people whose presence quietly strengthens the entire ecosystem. You know so many of them… The people who bring clarity, care, and a deep understanding of why stories matter. At the Buckeye Book Fair, one of those people is Hannah McCartney, a rural Ohio librarian whose love of books has grown into a lifelong commitment to connecting readers, writers, and communities. She is, in every sense, a breath of fresh air.

Hannah’s relationship with libraries began long before she ever worked in one. As a child, she spent countless hours wandering the stacks while a parent worked at their local library. Her duffle bag (intended for gym clothes) became a portable book vault, stuffed with the worlds of Terry Goodkind, J.R.R. Tolkien, and any author who could stretch her imagination a little further.

That early immersion shaped her into the kind of reader who is never far from a story, and the kind of librarian who understands that books are more than objects; they’re lifelines.

A Librarian Who Builds Community, Not Just Collections

When COVID disrupted her plans, Hannah found herself working at the very library that had shaped her childhood. What began as rediscovering her own love of reading quickly transformed into something larger: helping others rediscover theirs.

Many of her patrons hadn’t picked up a book in years. Now, they read more than she does. That transformation of watching people find joy, connection, and confidence through stories is one of her proudest accomplishments.

Hannah doesn’t just run a book club, she’s cultivated belonging.

Why She Loves the Buckeye Book Fair

When Hannah attended the Buckeye Book Fair for the first time, she drove nearly three hours to get there. The trip was worth every mile.

She found exactly what the Fair is designed to create: a living, breathing literary community where readers, librarians, teachers, and creators gather to celebrate the power of story.

She spoke with authors her patrons adore, made professional connections that led to author visits at her library, and left with new ideas, new books, and renewed inspiration. Even librarians experience burnout, but the Buckeye Book Fair reminded her why she fell in love with reading in the first place.

A Volunteer Who Understands the Mission

Hannah’s volunteer work, especially her author spotlights for the Buckeye Bookmark, reflects her strengths as both a writer and a librarian. She knows how to highlight what makes an author’s work meaningful. Honestly, her articles are our best ones.

Her writing helps readers meet authors before they ever step into the room. Her enthusiasm helps the Fair feel welcoming to newcomers. Her perspective reminds us why Ohio’s literary culture is worth celebrating.

Her Message to Readers, Writers, and Library Lovers

Hannah encourages everyone to step outside their comfort zone—try a new genre, join a book club, talk to someone about a story you love. Inspiration often arrives from unexpected places.

She knows this firsthand. Cozy mysteries weren’t on her radar until she started a cozy mystery book club. Now, they’re one of her most beloved genres and a reliable cure for any reading slump.

Her belief is simple and powerful:

Literacy is for everyone. There is always a place for you at the library. There is always a story that can inspire you. And there is always room for your own story in the world.

Hannah makes a difference in ways that are concrete and easy to see. Her book club has grown into a genuine community hub, her author connections have brought new opportunities to her rural library, and her writing helps readers discover voices they might have missed.

Literary culture actually grows through one conversation, one recommendation, and one shared moment at book club at a time. Thank you, Hannah!