Jennifer Thompson McKell was appointed by the State Board of Education of Ohio to the State Library Board. She was sworn in at the January 19 , 2012 State Library Board meeting.

Jennifer recently retired after a 38-year career in Ohio public libraries including 31 years as the Director of the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library. She has held leadership positions and served on community and library committees and advisory councils including the Ohio Library Council Board, Government Relations Committee, Research Committee, State Conference Chair, Southeast Chapter Council, and Ohio Valley Area Libraries. Jennifer also served on the first Ohio LSTA Advisory Council, which advises and counsels the State Library on matters related to the Library Services and Technology Act grant program in Ohio, for six years.

In addition to her strong history of library service, Jennifer has been active in her community having served as the first woman President of the Rotary Club of Chillicothe (1994-1995), Ross County Historical Board, Chillicothe and Ross County Chamber of Commerce Board, United Way of Ross County Budget Committee, and the Walnut Street Preschool Board of Trustees.