Save the Date: The Indianapolis Public Library CEO Candidate Finalists’ Public Presentations

The Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees and the CEO Search Committee are making progress in their national search for a permanent CEO of the Library system. The CEO Search Committee, which consists of Board members, Library staff members, and community patron members, has recommended their three finalists for the Library Board of Trustees. The top finalist candidates will participate in a public presentation at 7 p.m. on Nov. 30 at Clowes Auditorium in Central Library, which will also be livestreamed to IndyPL’s YouTube channel.

The recommendations were made after a careful review of applications and resumes from 20 qualified candidates and virtual interviews with six candidates. The Indianapolis Public Library’s search consultant Bradbury Miller Associates is currently processing background and reference checks for the three top candidates.

Candidate names will remain undisclosed, unless they personally choose to make their intention public, as recommended by the search consultant. Details about the finalists will be shared with staff and available publicly at indypl.org on Monday, Nov. 28, which helps them avoid any potential issues with their current employer or supervisor.

"We are excited to be at this next step in our search for the next IndyPL CEO and so pleased to be considering three strong candidates in the final interviews," said Hope Tribble, IndyPL board member and chairperson of the board's diversity, policy, and HR committee. "Now we'll hear the candidates talk about how their visions align with The Library's strategic priorities and how they would lead IndyPL forward.

“The Library is an essential public institution, so we think it's important to invite the community to learn about the candidates and are looking for a great community turnout.”

The Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees began the national CEO search in May of 2022, eventually extending the search to seek a larger pool of qualified candidates. The search will conclude with in-person final interviews with candidates and the Library Board on December 1, after which the Board will determine to whom they would like to extend an offer for the position.

Previous CEO Jackie Nytes served in the role from 2012 until August of 2021, and Chief Public Services Officer John Helling served as interim CEO until departing on April 1, 2022. Nichelle M. Hayes, previously IndyPL’s manager of the Center for Black Literature & Culture, is currently serving the Library as interim CEO.

The Indianapolis Public Library serves approximately 900,000 patrons in Marion County and has a staff of over 570 employees. Up-to-date information regarding the CEO search is available here.