Accreditation and Standards

The Accreditation and Standards program exists to encourage the ongoing development of high quality public library services in Iowa. Every three years, each library is asked to report its progress toward achieving accreditation. The Tier Levels determined during accreditation are used to determine state funding levels for the library. It is critical for all public library directors to be familiar with the State Library’s accreditation and standards program.

Learning Objectives:

• Define the essential concepts of the accreditation and standards program

• Understand the application process

• Identify key connections between “In Service to Iowa” and the annual survey

• Explain how Direct State Aid tier levels are determined

• Navigate the State Library’s Accreditation Webpage