(1) General essential standards for public libraries are as follows:

(a) The board hires the director according to local, state, and federal regulations and delegates the day-to-day management of the library to the director.

(b) The board evaluates the performance of the director annually.

(c) Each public library has a paid director who is responsible for the administration of library services.

(d) Libraries that serve more than 25,000 people employ a library director with a graduate degree in library or information science or its equivalent.

(e) Libraries that serve less than 25,000 people employ a library director who is or will be within three years of hire certified by the state library.

(2) General enhanced standards for public libraries are as follows:

(a) The director conducts a formal performance appraisal of each staff member at least annually.

(b) The library director informs the board of pending legislation that affects libraries on the local, state, and national levels.

(c) The library director reviews and updates procedures every three years.

(d) The library director must join the State Library Association.

(3) General excellent standards for public libraries are as follows:

(a) The library director provides a climate that encourages development of innovative programs and projects by providing at least three informal staff discussions about innovative programs or opportunities.

(b) The director keeps the community and funding officials aware of the library's purpose, planning, and services through the use of newspaper articles, websites, radio programs, attending meetings, etc.

(c) The director forms collaborative partnerships with other agencies and organizations in the library's service area.

(d) Libraries that serve less than 25,000 people employ a library director who has an AA/AS or higher degree.

(e) In addition to the library director's annual evaluation, the library director is evaluated every three years by the board with the input of staff, library users, and/or library nonusers.