Library Director Certification

Links and resources

For Library Directors – Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI): includes instructions and forms for new certification, temporary certification, and certification renewal.

For library directors needing to complete course work for Temporary Certification:

• The four core courses required are:
  • Basic Public Library Administration
  • Advanced Public Library Administration
  • Organization and Management of Collections
  • Public and Community Services
• Both the iSchool at UW-Madison and Chippewa Valley Technical College offer these courses

Best practices for Renewing Regular Certification

• Certification paperwork, manual, and other resources are available on the top of the For Library Directors section of the WI DPI website
• Please send completed Annual Summation Forms and Activity Reports yearly if possible.  Send to Leah by email: [email protected].
  • Annual Summation Forms and Activity Reports are available on the DPI site.
    • Please complete the forms in Word instead of printing and filling out by hand.
    • New in 2025:  If you plan to include Category C activities, you need to contact Leah at IFLS ahead of time. You can use the Self-Directed Activity Proposal from the WI DPI website.
    • Remember to include the name of the activity and the name of the sponsor (i.e.: IFLS, WI Library Systems)
      • If you are including a recording that you listened to in a different year than it was created, please list both the date of the webinar and the date you accessed it
    • Each Activity Report needs 2-3 sentences in the “Relationship of Program to Present Position or Career Advancement” section
      • This should include one or two specific things the resonated with you about the continuing education offering, and a small reflection of how you might use the information.
      • One example of this section filled out adequately:  “The most valuable tool I learned was the power of an authentic conversation for advocacy, which is something I can do!  For me, the idea of advocacy seems less intimidating when you think of it as a meaningful conversation.  The concepts and ideas will help me be a more effective storyteller.”
      • An example that is not adequate:  “This is useful to me because I am a library director.”
  • Leah will check these over and send back the signed and validated Annual Summation Forms (via email).
• Consult the 2024 Certification Manual and the recorded certification overview webinar or view the certification overview presentation slides for guidance.  You can always contact Leah as well!
• Then, in the month when your certification is due, send all the completed, signed Annual Summation Forms (NOT the Activity Reports) and your certification form to [email protected] for processing.
  • Note that as of January 1, 2023 there is no longer a charge for any certification and DPI is no longer accepting paper applications for certification/renewal.
  • Please submit your documents as follows:
    • One pdf for the application
    • One pdf for all of the Annual Summations
    • One pdf for transcripts or other proof of courses (as needed)