The NC Public Librarian Certification Commission was formed in 1936 to set minimum standards for public librarians to protect and maintain public library resources, to assure professional management and administration of library services, to meet the personnel requirements for State Aid administered by the Library of NC, and to guarantee the best possible public library service to all North Carolinians.

The North Carolina General Statute 143B-68 states that the commission must be comprised of: the Chairman of the public libraries section of NCLA, two individuals named by the Governor upon nomination of the NCLA, the dean of a State or regionally accredited graduate school of librarianship in North Carolina appointed by the Governor, and one member at large appointed by the Governor. Commission members appointed by the Governor serve 4-year terms, all others serve 2-year terms.

Commission meetings are held quarterly to review applications and discuss Certification policies and procedures.

The commission's meeting dates for the 2025-2026 year are October 27, 2025, January 9, 2026, April 10, 2026, and July 10, 2026. All meetings are held at the Library of NC beginning at 1:00 pm unless otherwise posted. Information about meetings can be found on the North Carolina Secretary of State's meeting calendar.

Have questions about certification? Contact us at NC.Certification.Commission@dncr.nc.gov.