In Wisconsin, all public library directors must be certified as per state law. Certification has three levels and is based on the size of a library’s community. If directors do not hold a Master’s degree in library science from an ALA accredited graduate program, they must classes in four topic areas to become certified. The Information School offers all four of these topics in the form of 12-week, non-credit online courses. Please see The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for full details about the certification process. Please note that anyone can take Wisconsin public library director certification courses, but they are designed to serve new public library directors in Wisconsin.
Our courses fulfill the requirements for WI Public Library Director Certification. All certification courses are offered online on a set schedule (below).
There is a scholarship offered each fall and spring for current Wisconsin library directors who must take these courses. See the scholarship page for more information.
Certification Courses
- Basic Public Library Administration
- Advanced Public Library Administration
- Organization and Management of Collections
- Public and Community Library Services
Certification Course Schedule
Spring
Fall
- Basic Public Library Administration
- Advanced Public Library Administration
- Public and Community Library Services
More Information
- Public Library Director Certification
- DPI Certification Manual for WI Public Library Directors (2011)
Public Library Director Certification in other states
Check with your state library certification agency to see if these courses satisfy your state’s certification requirements.
Questions? Contact the CE team. (608) 890-0364 or (608) 263-4452