The Indianapolis Public Library (IndyPL) board of trustees named Nichelle M. Hayes interim CEO during a board meeting March 28. Hayes has led the Center for Black Literature and Culture at Central Library since its opening in 2017.
“I appreciate the board giving me their confidence … to start the healing process,” Hayes said after the board unanimously voted for her appointment.
Hayes will begin her tenure as interim April 1. John Helling, who was appointed interim CEO in September 2021 following the resignation of Jackie Nytes, announced his plans to resign earlier this month. During the March 28 board meeting, board member Hope Tribble said she hopes to conduct final interviews for a permanent CEO by August.
Hayes’ appointment comes less than a week since Ice Miller LLC announced the findings of an internal climate study to the board. The study found roughly 22% of IndyPL’s Black employees report receiving offensive comments or harassment from their colleagues related to their race in the past year.
This story is ongoing and will be updated.
Contact staff writer Breanna Cooper at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @BreannaNCooper.
