Standards and Accreditation

The State Library is required by the Code of Iowa (256.51 (j)) to document the condition of public library service in Iowa.  In order to fulfill that requirement and to provide public libraries with a tool for identifying strengths and areas for improvement, the State Library requires that public libraries submit accreditation reports. Uses of the report are numerous, benefiting the local library as well as the library community.  The application and report form:

• Is the mechanism for applying for accreditation;
• Benchmarks the status of local library service; and
• Determines eligibility and funding tier status for Enrich Iowa.

In Service to Iowa

Accreditation is based on the 75 standards in the 4th edition of  "In Service to Iowa: Public Library Measures of Quality."  Public libraries that are not accredited or that have not filed a report in the past 3 years will be required to submit a new "Application/Report Form for Accreditation and Standards," due January 31, 2008.

The information provided in these reports will allow the State Library and the LSAs to more accurately track the progress of libraries in meeting each of the 75 measures in In Service to Iowa.

Accreditation of Public Libraries

There are currently 329 accredited public libraries.

To recognize this achievement, the library receives a certificate and a higher rate of compensation through Enrich Iowa. News releases are also sent to local media outlets.

The accreditation process is extensive and requires a strong, ongoing local commitment to excellence in library services. To be accredited, a library must meet 40 required measures and an additional 16 locally selected standards in the areas of library governance, administration & funding, staffing, collections, services, public relations, and access & facilities. To remain accredited, a library must reaffirm eligibility every three years.

Iowa’s public library accreditation program has been in place 23 years. The library community has revised the PUBLIC LIBRARY MEASURES OF QUALITY three times to keep pace with the changes in the delivery of services (In Service to Iowa was first published in 1985, with revised editions in 1989 and 1997).  Iowa’s measures of quality have been used as the basis of similar programs developed by other states.

There has always been grassroots support of the Public Library Accreditation Program. However, because of Enrich Iowa and its purpose to improve library services, the number of Iowa libraries striving and meeting accreditation requirements is growing rapidly.