Meet our new library support specialist: Kate Hoefler, part of a three-generation Bobcat legacy

OHIO Zanesville is excited to welcome Kate Hoefler as the new library support specialist for Ohio University Zanesville and Zane State College. A proud third-generation Bobcat, Hoefler brings a wealth of experience and a passion for community engagement that makes her a perfect fit to support students, faculty and staff at the Zanesville campus.

A legacy rooted in service

Hoefler is no stranger to libraries or higher education. She spent several years as a circulation supervisor at Muskingum University, managing student workers and ensuring students and faculty had access to the resources they needed. She’s also worked remotely in the K–12 and higher education textbook industry for the past eight years, contributing to lesson materials and supporting educators across the country.

Despite enjoying this behind-the-scenes work, Hoefler found herself missing the dynamic environment of campus libraries—the energy that comes from directly helping students and faculty day-to-day. When the library support specialist position at OHIO Zanesville opened up, she knew it was the ideal opportunity to return to her roots and serve her own community.

Children’s author for a decade

Hoefler has been an author in the children’s literacy industry for a decade. Her first picture book, "Real Cowboys," won the Friends of American Writers Chicago Award in Juvenile Literature. Several other recent picture books have been Ohioana Award Finalists, and she is the first three-time Floyd’s Pick Honor author.

Her next book, "The Couch in the Yard," (illustrated by Dena Seiferling) was released on March 25, and is available to order. Save the date to join the Zanesville Campus community in the library on April 1 as we celebrate this new release at a community story telling event in the Zanesville Campus Library at 5:30 pm.

Making the library a vibrant gathering place

Above all, Hoefler envisions the library as a welcoming haven for students, faculty, and staff—a place not just for research but also for connection and relaxation.

“Libraries are so much more than their stacks and databases. I think of them as places where everyone can know they belong before they even set foot in them. I love when students know that, and I want more students to know that,” she shared.

Hoefler is especially excited to introduce workshops, study-break activities, and collaborative research sessions to encourage students to “claim” their library. Her ultimate goal? To ensure that every Bobcat feels comfortable using library resources, whether they’re conducting serious research or simply looking for a spot to decompress between classes.

Looking forward

Over the coming months, Hoefler aims to foster a dynamic library culture at OHIO Zanesville, one that supports academic success, inspires creativity, and brings people together. She’s eager to build on the sense of belonging that comes from being part of the Bobcat family—a feeling she knows well, as a proud member of three generations of OHIO graduates.

“I really look forward to supporting efforts to make the library a vibrant place—somewhere students think of when wanting to spend time, whether they need to work or simply unwind,” Hoefler said. “My hope is to help everyone feel welcome before they’ve even opened the door.”

Welcome, Kate!

OHIO Zanesville is delighted to have Hoefler join as a new library support specialist. Her commitment to service, community, and the transformative power of libraries will undoubtedly enrich the experience for students, faculty, and staff alike. Keep an eye out for upcoming campus events and opportunities to meet Hoefler in person—you’ll likely find her among the stacks, ready to help you discover all that the library has to offer.

Stop by the Zanesville Campus Library for Story Time with Kate as she shares her new book, “The Couch in the Yard”, April 1 at 5:30 pm.

For more information about the Zanesville campus library or to connect with Hoefler, visit the Zanesville Campus Library located in Herrold Hall at OHIO Zanesville or check out upcoming events by visiting www.ohio.edu/zanesville/community-events.