Staff Report
LIVINGSTON, La. — Just two days after Michelle Parrish was removed as library director and four members of the board resigned, the remaining members of the Livingston Parish Library Board of Control will meet Friday to consider a policy change that would eliminate the requirement for an Administrative Librarian to hold a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree.
According to the meeting agenda, the proposed revision would amend Code 1-105 to allow candidates with any master’s degree to qualify for the administrative role. Supporters say the change would align the library’s internal policies with Louisiana Revised Statute 25:215, which sets minimum qualifications for library personnel at the state level.
The move comes amid ongoing political tension over library leadership and content policies. Former Director Michelle Parrish, who held both an MLIS and an MBA, was removed by the board earlier this week following pressure from Parish President Randy Delatte and Lafayette-based advocacy group Citizens for a New Louisiana.
The policy change will be discussed and voted on at a special board meeting Friday, July 18, at 6 p.m. at the Main Branch in Livingston. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the library’s YouTube channel
