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Due to Allen Wright Building renovations, our services are temporarily relocated to the Will Rogers Building in the Capitol complex, 2401 N. Lincoln Blvd, Room C12. Access to collections will have to be requested in advance. If you are a land surveyor seeking access to corner records or filing a new corner record, please call (405) 522-3580 for assistance.

A free training program that supports Oklahoma library staff in providing high quality library service to their communities. Completion of all 9 classes is required for initial library certification for individuals without library degrees. The classes are open to anyone who currently works or is interested in working in public libraries. Courses include:

  • How to Think Like a Librarian
  • Reference & Readers' Advisory
  • Computers & Electronic Resources
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Legislation Affecting Public Libraries
  • Programming & Outreach
  • Collection Development
  • Public Library Administration
  • Current Trends in Public Libraries

Certification and Renewal

The Oklahoma Public Library Certification Manual explains how the certification process works and details the levels of certification.

Access Course Materials

Find course materials for the in person certification classes all in one place. This includes class objectives, pre-class assignments, handouts, presentation slides, and additional online resources to support both in-person and online learning.

Online Certification Classes

On demand, self-paced certification courses are available through ODL’s Niche Academy platform under “Initial Certification Courses.” These courses fulfill the requirements for initial certification. Only the Current Trends in Public Libraries course may be used for contact hours towards renewals.

Niche Academy Courses

Library staff can access a wide variety of free, self-paced continuing education classes through ODL’s Niche Academy and other trusted platforms. These classes cover topics such as customer service, technology, programming, readers' advisory, and more. Completion of these courses may count toward the contact hours required for certification renewal. 

Dashboards for Tracking Credits

Use the Public Library Certification Dashboard to track your progress through the nine required courses for initial certification.

Actively certified library staff can use the Certification Status & Contact Hours Dashboard to view their certification level, badge, and most recent renewal date. It can also be used to keep track of contact hours towards renewal.

Applications and Renewal Forms

Frequently Asked Questions

Use the online Request or Submit Contact Hours Form to submit your contact hours and track your credits on the Certification Dashboard.

If your training provided a certificate showing contact hours or CEUs, upload that certificate when you submit. If you did not receive a certificate, select the Request option and upload your proof of attendance instead.

If you have any questions, please email ODL.education@libraries.ok.gov.

To renew your certification, you must complete 36 contact hours. Eligible hours may include conferences, workshops, city-provided training, webinars, staff training sessions, or other professional development relevant to your library role.


Certification Board Members

  • Robbee Tonubbee
    Director, Donald W. Reynolds Library & Community Center
  • Conner Kirk
    Programs and Reference Coordinator, Western Plains Library System
  • Jacqueline Kropp
    LOVS Manager, Tulsa City-County Library System
  • Blair Henson
    Director, Guymon Public Library and Arts Center
  • Erika Needham
    Co-Training Specialist, Southeastern Oklahoma Library System
  • Brent Greyson
    Pioneer Library System & Instructional Designer
  • Paige Harkins
    ODL Continuing Education Coordinator

Questions? Please email ODL.education@libraries.ok.gov.

In-Person Certification Classes

Build a strong foundation for excellent library service with Public Library Certification Classes through ODL. These classes provide essential training that equips you with the knowledge and skills to provide library services and programming to your communities, select materials for your collection, run a successful library, and more.

This program is made possible by funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act. 


In-person certification classes are offered in the spring and fall at various locations across the state. Registration for fall classes is typically announced in August, and spring classes are announced in February. Class schedules are posted on our website and shared in the Oklahoma Department of Libraries Newsletter. 

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Last Modified on Dec 02, 2025