Continuing Education

Value of Continuing Education (CE).

Prairie Lakes serves as a regional certification validator for our member library directors. In order to participate in a public library system as a member, each library director must apply for and maintain the appropriate level public librarian certification.

Where to Find CE Opportunities

Prairie Lakes partners with our neighboring regional systems for most of our local CE events, but other systems across the state also put on some amazing events.

Some of the more popular sources include:

• Southeastern Wisconsin Continuing Education (SEWI)
• Nicolet Federated Library System’s CE Page
• Southeastern Wisconsin Continuing Education (SEWI)Wisconsin Public Libraries – Professional Learning Calendar
• PLLS occasionally hosts local CE events.

Library Directors

DPI issues certificates to public librarians, per Wis. Stat. sec. 43.09(1). Qualifications for certification are based on education, training, and experience.

Certification for public library directors is required in Wisconsin to ensure that the public libraries in the state are administered by highly qualified library personnel.

The statutory grade level required of a director depends upon the population of the municipality(s) that established that library.