Way Library

Nancy J. Kelley has been Way Public Library Director since 1991. She has served in leadership positions in public libraries for 33 years.

From 1977 to 1980, Mrs. Kelley was manager of Dorsch Library in Monroe, Michigan, and from 1980 to 1991, she was employed by the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library in various capacities including Manager of Extension Services for 18 branches and two bookmobiles. She has a bachelor of arts in history and a master’s in library science from the University of Michigan as well as a master’s of art, with reading education specialization, from Eastern Michigan University.

Prior to becoming a librarian, Mrs. Kelley was an elementary and secondary teacher in Michigan and Ohio, teaching English, history, remedial reading and speed reading.

Mrs. Kelley was named director of Way Public Library in 1991. Since that time, the library has been recognized several times by the Hennen American Public Library Ratings as one of the top 10 libraries in its size category nationwide. In 2009, when the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service was initiated, Way Library was given the highest, 5-star ranking.  

In 2007 Mrs. Kelley was named Ohio Librarian of the Year by the Ohio Library Council. This award recognizes extraordinary achievement and accomplishments within the Ohio library community.

In 2009 she was honored by the Perrysburg Exchange Club as the winner of the Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds Award.

At Way Library, Mrs. Kelley is the coordinator of the Reel Art foreign film series. For 18 years she has facilitated the popular Wednesday morning book discussion. Instrumental in the creation of the Way Library Foundation, Mrs. Kelley has served as its secretary-treasurer. She also served on the Norweld Board of Directors and was a member of the OLC Adult Services Action Council.

Mrs. Kelley is a docent for the Toledo Museum of Art and a member of the League of Women Voters of the Perrysburg Area, the New Century Club, the Perrysburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Lamplighter Dance Club and Olivet Lutheran Church Prayer Ministry Group. She has served as president of Zonta Club of Toledo I and the Toledo Area YWCA.  She helped to found and has been a member of the Monroe Book Discussion Group for 41 years.

She and her husband Ed have raised six children and now frequently travel the U.S. to visit their 12 grandchildren.

Way board members, staff members, citizens and colleagues point to Mrs. Kelley’s “charm, charisma and ability to lead” and “consummate professionalism.” When honored as Librarian of the Year, she was cited for being “at the cutting edge of new library services,” and for her mentorship of other librarians, her vision of the library as a community hub, and her tenacious efforts to expand library programs and services.

As a speaker, Mrs. Kelley has spread the word about Way Library as well as reviewed countless books and shared her love of good literature with many people in the greater Toledo community.
 
Mrs. Kelley has been lauded for her stewardship of the library during its 2001 renovation/expansion, and for her creative solutions to the financial challenges brought about by cuts in state library funding.