Certification for Indiana Public Librarians
The following is a description of the rules and requirements for Public Librarian certification found in 590 IAC 5 in response to IC 36-12-11-5 and were last updated in 2023.
ISL’s Certification Portal
Our certification portal is Indiana State Library: Certification for Indiana Librarians, This portal has a public look up feature called Verify Status that anyone can use to verify an Indiana librarian’s certification status.
Instructions for using the portal can be found in this Guide to Using New Certification Portal. In addition, new and returning account holders may find helpful these detailed Instructions for Setting/Resetting a Portal Password Both temporary permit and 5-year certificate holders can use the portal to update their contact information. Individuals holding 5-year certificates can also renew their certificate if they are not seeking a higher level certificate.
If needing to update job information please contact the certification director at Certification@library.in.gov
Accounts on the certification portal are created by the Certification team at the Indiana state library during the initial application process. Certificate holders must log into their accounts in order to print a copy of their certificate or temporary permit. The Indiana state Library no longer mails these certificates out.
Privacy
Individuals are not allowed to access portal accounts other than their own. Employers and others who wish to verify another person’s certification status should use the public lookup function, Verify Status. The entire policy on access to portal records can be found here: Policy Regarding Access to Records on the Certification Portal.
Who needs to be certified?
Staff working at Indiana public libraries must be certified by the Indiana State Library if they spend at least 75% of their time on “professional library work.” This applies to all professional staff working both part or full time.
Professional library work includes, but is not limited to;
- cataloging,
- copy cataloging,
- reference,
- collection development,
- reader’s advisory
- and children’s or teen services.
Library directors and staff classified as branch/department heads must also be certified. Certification requirements apply to all permanent (non-substitute) professional staff, whether they work full-time or part-time.
If you do not believe that you meet the above requirements and therefore do not need to be certified please see your library director and page 3 of the certification manual for those who are exempt from certification.
- Detailed Summary of Certification Requirements – A quick guide with helpful tables
- Certification Manual – A comprehensive manual that covers the program in detail and answers frequently asked questions
Why do I need to be certified?
Simply put, because the state of Indiana says so and has for many years in accordance with Indiana Code 36-12-11-5. This code requires the Indiana Library and Historical Board (ILHB) to set the rules and requirements for certification. These rules and requirements are occasionally reviewed and updated, with input from the Indiana library community, to meet the needs of Librarians in the state of Indiana. The current rules and requirements are found in the Indiana Administrative Code title 590 section 5.
What level of certificate do I need?
The minimum required certificate level for your professional library position will depend on two factors: the library district size (based on service population) of your employer and the job classification you hold. Below are two charts that may be helpful in determining what certification to follow.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS BASED ON LIBRARY DISTRICT SIZE
|
Library District Population (2020 Census Numbers) |
Director |
Branch or
Department Head |
Professional
Assistant |
| Class A (40,000 or more) | LC 1 | LC 4 | LC 5 |
| Class B (10,001 to 39,999) | LC 2 | LC 5 | LC 6 |
| Class C (3,001 to 10,000) | LC 4 | LC 6 | LC 6 |
| Class C (3,000 or less) | LC 7 | N/A | N/A |
REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH CERTIFICATION LEVEL
| LEVEL | EDUCATION | EXPERIENCE |
| LC 1 | MLS + | 10 years professional library work experience* OR
6 years professional library work experience that includes 3 years administrative experience (as a director or supervisor of at least 2 staff with MLS degrees)
|
| LC 2 | MLS + | 3 years professional experience*
Note Relevant (professional) experience for certification levels LC1 and LC2 is defined as any experience that |
| LC 3 | MLS | No further requirements |
| LC 4 | Bachelor’s degree + | 15 hours of college level Library Science credit,
taken before, during or after bachelor’s degree |
| LC 5 | 60 hours of college course credit + | 9 hours of college level Library Science credit
|
| LC 6 | HS/GED/equivalent + | 3 years of library work experience OR
9 hours of college level Library Science credit (any 3 courses) |
| LC 7* | HS/GED/equivalent + | 3 years of library work experience
PLUS Each of the first 3 years of employment must take 10 hours of ISL training for library administrators
*The LC 7 is only available to a new director of a library with a service population of 3,000 or less. |
What if I don’t meet the requirements for the 5-year certificate I need?
If you do not meet the requirements for your certificate level you must apply for a temporary permit. This permit lasts one year and is renewable up to 2 times. (3 total permits per job, per certification level) This time frame is to allow you to work on the requirements for your 5-year certificate while still maintaining your current position.
How do I apply?
There is one Application for Certification. No matter what type of certification you are seeking the same application is to be used. Application for Certification of Public Librarian
- If you are applying for your first temporary permit you do not need to send any additional documents aside from your application and $10 payment.
- If you are renewing your temporary permit you must include your application, certificates to document 10 LEUS taken*, a 3-5 sentence statement of progress towards your 5 year certificate requirements and $10 payment . * Note LIS courses do not count as LEUs if required for your certificate level.
- If you are seeking a new five year certificate you must include an application, any graduate or undergraduate transcripts needed for certification level or proof of LIS courses (such as certificates) and a $50 payment.
- see below information about how to send transcripts
- If you are renewing your 5 year certificate and NOT seeking a higher level of certification you can renew and pay online through the portal or submit an application and $50 payment.
For more information see the Checklist for Submitting Librarian Certification Application
How can I pay my certification fee?
- Personal check mailed to the certification director at ISL
- A Check from the library with a written statement saying this money is from the gift fund
- For more information on library options see page 6 of the certification manual.
- Online payment via credit or debit card
- Note you will be assessed $1.13 in processing fees via this method.
- Money order mailed to the certification director at ISL
- Money orders will no longer be accepted by ISL after October 1st 2024
Can I email you a copy of my transcript I already have?
No. Your transcript must be official and from the college or university. It can either be
- sent electronically directly from the school to certification@library.in.gov;
This option is often free from many colleges and universities.
- mailed directly from the school to Indiana State Library; 140 N. Senate Ave.; Indianapolis, IN; “Attention: Certification Program;” or
- you may obtain the transcript and convey it to ISL still in its original sealed, unopened envelope by enclosing the unopened transcript in a larger envelope along with your application and certification fee
Frequently asked Certification questions
How do I know what class my library is?
If you don’t know your library class, you may need to speak to your director. If still unknown, please email the certification director at certification@library.in.gov.
How long do I have before needing to be certified?
If you are a new hire whose professional position requires certification, you have 6 months to apply for an initial temporary permit or 5-year certificate.
Early application is great and encouraged. If you are applying for a temporary permit your permit will not start till your 6-month grace period is up in order to give you all the time you may have to earn your required LEUS.
What if I can earn a higher certification than is required of my job?
If your job only requires an LC4 or LC5 and you have an MLS/MLIS you may apply for an LC3 or higher if you meet the requirements. There is no price difference in the levels of certification. Please choose the option that best matches your education and experience level.
What do I do if I change jobs?
If you either move libraries or move to a new position within your library, please let the certification director know so we can adjust your file accordingly. If you leave the library permanently, please have the library director or HR notify us so we can change your file.
What library science courses do I need to take to qualify for an LC 4 or LC 5?
Library science courses taken at any state or nationally accredited college or university may be used to qualify for the LC4, LC5, or LC6. Courses may be undergraduate or graduate level. Distance learning is accepted if the course provider is a state or nationally accredited college or university. There are no longer specific library science courses/topics required; rather, the applicant must simply have completed the number of library science hours required by the Administrative Code for the level of certificate the applicant is seeking. Similar approved courses in library science may be accepted at the discretion of the Indiana Library and Historical Board.
For a summary of the rules and a non-exhaustive list of regional course providers, please view the Selected Course Options resource sheet below.
Selected Course Options for LC4 LC5 LC6
Which LEUs satisfy the Administrative LEU requirements for the LC 7 certificate?
The LC 7 certificate is designed for directors of public libraries with a service district population of 3,000 or less. The LC 7 certificate is earned by completing a 3-year training program. In addition to other requirements, candidates must take Indiana State Library-sponsored training courses each year in subject areas relating to library administration (also known as “Administrative Library Education Units” or “Admin LEUs”). View a summary of the program and a list of accepted training courses here:
How do I maintain my certificate?
Professional library staff must maintain their certificates and permits by completing approved professional development activities, called Library Education Units (LEUs). Successful completion of LEUs enables holders to renew their certification. If you hold a temporary permit, it expires and must be renewed one year from the date it took effect. If you hold a 5-year librarian certificate, your certificate expires and must be renewed 5 years after the date it took effect. As a certificate holder, you are subject to random audits of your compliance with LEU requirements. Learn more about these requirements here:
Certificate Renewals & Library Education Unit Audits
Where can I get more information about this process?
Archived Webinars on Certification
“Certification and LEUs: Getting and Staying Certified” (June 20, 2023)
“ISL Certification Portal: Introduction and Walk Through” (September 30, 2021)
- Archived Webinar
- Handout for this webinar is available here
Still have questions about certification? Contact the Certification Program Director at certification@library.in.gov, 317-234-6217, or toll-free in Indiana 800-451-6028.