Wisconsin statutes and administrative rules require that all public library directors be certified by the Division for Libraries and Technology. Public librarian certification is administered by the Public Library Development Team.
Wisconsin issues three grades of certification for public librarians:
Grade 1 certification is for librarians who administer public libraries in communities with a population of 6,000 or more. The educational requirements for grade 1 certification are a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from a library school program accredited by the American Library Association.
Grade 2 certification is for librarians who administer public libraries in communities with a population between 3,000 and 5,999. The educational requirements for grade 2 certification are a bachelor's degree, including or supplemented by three semester credits of coursework or the equivalent, approved by the division, in each of the following areas: public library administration; selection of all types of library materials; organization of library materials; and provision of reference and information services.
Grade 3 certification is for librarians who administer public libraries in communities with a population under 3,000. The educational requirements for grade 3 certification are the successful completion of 54 semester hours, half
of which must be in the liberal arts and sciences, including or supplemented by three semester credits of coursework or the equivalent, approved by the division, in each of the following areas: public library administration; selection of all types of library materials; organization of library materials; and provision of reference and information services.
The division may grant provisional and temporary certification under certain circumstances.
For more information and an application form, go to:
- Wisconsin Administrative Code-Public Librarian Certification (PDF)
Terrie Howe, Continuing Education Consultant
Division for Libraries and Technology
Public Library Development
125 S. Webster St., PO Box 7841, Madison, WI 53707-7841
(608) 266-2413; fax: (608) 267-9207
teresa.howe@dpi.wi.gov
Certification Home Page
For questions about this information, contact Teresa D. Howe (608) 266-2413
Last updated on 4/12/2012 1:40:03 PM
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