After serving the Commonwealth of Kentucky as State Librarian and Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) for nine years, Wayne Onkst has retired. Wayne's career spanned 36 years of serving the public through providing and promoting quality library services and life-long educational opportunities for all ages.
During his tenure as State Librarian, Wayne provided leadership in advancing public library service in every county in the state. With the opening of the McLean County Public Library in 2011, all Kentuckians now enjoy the opportunity to access state-funded public library services in their own community. Last year Kentucky libraries reported a record 2,664,920 library card holders, representing 60.63% of the state's population.
Recognizing the value of public libraries as an educational partner, Wayne was committed to providing support to public libraries to ensure that all citizens have access to age-appropriate high quality educational programs. Last year alone, 1,426,392 children attended programs at their local public library. Additionally, 307,761 adults attended programs and 113,081 teens attended programs.
A native of London, Kentucky, Wayne began his career in libraries as a shelver at the Laurel County Public Library. After completing a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Kentucky (UK) and a master's degree in library science from the UK School of Library and Information Science, he became a librarian in the Kenton County Library System. He eventually became director in 1999 and was appointed to the position of State Librarian by Governor Ernie Fletcher in 2006.
Wayne strongly encouraged and assisted libraries in communicating the message that libraries serve a critical role as community and educational partners. He worked to demonstrate that libraries have an imperative to ensure that everyone has the right to high-quality library and information resources. He also led KDLA in assisting state agencies in ensuring that legislatively mandated documentation of government programs is created, efficiently maintained, and made accessible.
During his career Wayne participated in many professional and civic organizations, such as serving as president of the Greater Cincinnati Library Consortium, Frankfort Rotary, chair of Kentucky Archives & Records Commission, Kentucky Oral History Commission, president of the Southern Council of State Library CEOs, the Governor's E-transparency Task Force, the Kentucky Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, and the Executive Mansion and Capital Centennial Commission.
His leadership skills have been recognized both nationally, as recipient of the American Library Association Sullivan Award in 2005 (for public library administrators supporting services to children) and statewide as the winner of the Outstanding Public Library Service Award in 2009 as well as the Kentucky Public Library Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
Additional honors include receiving the 2010 UK Library School Outstanding Alumnus Award, receiving the Mary Ann Mongan Literacy Award in 2009, and participating in Leadership Northern Kentucky in 2001.
