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House JGO backs changes to library ED qualifications
House of Representative lawmakers have backed a bill to change qualification requirements for the top position at the local library.
In a standing committee report last month, the House judiciary and governmental operations committee recommends that the full house pass House Bill 19-134 in its current form.
Among others, the bill crosses out “administrative librarian” from Commonwealth code and replaces that with “executive director.”
For this executive director’s required education or experience, the House bill keeps a requirement to have the director hold a master’s degree or equivalent in library science, but adds, “or 15 years of professional library leadership experience.”
In their report findings, the committee acknowledged the standing requirements for a masters degree.
“However, your committee finds that currently there is a shortage in the CNMI of skilled and educated professionals who hold a Masters degree in Library Science or equivalent degree from a professionally accredited institution of higher learning and at the same time have had minimum of five years of experience as a professional librarian,” the lawmakers said.
The bill is authored by Rep. George N. Camacho (R-Saipan).
