The Indianapolis Public Library board of trustees has named Nichelle M. Hayes its new interim CEO.
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 during its meeting Monday.
Hayes will begin her tenure as interim CEO on Friday. John Helling, who was appointed interim CEO in September 2021 following the resignation of J ackie Nyte s, announced his plans to resign earlier this month.
During Monday's 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 percent of the library's Black employees reported receiving offensive comments or harassment from their colleagues related to their race in the past year.
This story was originally published by the Indianapolis Recorder, a partner of WFYI. Contact staff writer Breanna Cooper at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @BreannaNCooper.
