BATON ROUGE, LA and HARRISBURG, PA — The Office of Commonwealth Libraries (OCL) announced today their statewide pilot of Skilltype, a cutting-edge software platform designed to support skills management and professional development for library workers. This software equips public and academic libraries across Pennsylvania with personalized tools to identify, develop, and track the evolving competencies of their teams. The partnership marks the sixth statewide implementation of Skilltype in the United States.
The implementation and pilot of the platform will be managed by Hosting Solutions & Library Consulting (HSLC), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Pennsylvania libraries through technology and services. The move is a major step in OCL’s commitment to fostering an agile, data-informed library workforce ready to meet the demands of today’s rapidly changing information environment.
“Pennsylvania’s library community is entering a new chapter,” said Susan Banks, Deputy Secretary and State Librarian at the Office of Commonwealth Libraries. “Our goal is to provide our library professionals with the resources to grow their skills in ways that align with the needs of their institutions and the communities they serve.”
Skilltype offers AI-driven tools that deliver personalized training recommendations, track institutional skill gaps, and create development plans aligned with national frameworks. With this rollout, library staff from Erie to Philadelphia will have access to a centralized platform that helps them stay ahead of emerging trends, technologies, and patron needs. “Skilltype was built to empower library workers with the insight and support they need to grow in their careers,” said Tony Zanders, founder and CEO of Skilltype. “We’re honored to partner with the Office of Commonwealth Libraries and HSLC to bring this vision to life across Pennsylvania.”
Leading the implementation, HSLC will support onboarding and provide technical assistance to libraries during the pilot phase.“This partnership underscores our commitment to strengthening library infrastructure and empowering library staff at every level,” said Maryam Phillips, Executive Director of HSLC. “Skilltype offers libraries a way to connect strategic goals with workforce development in real time.”
The statewide pilot marks a first for Pennsylvania and positions the commonwealth as a national leader in preparing libraries for the future through innovative, data-driven tools. To learn more about bringing Skilltype to your library or consortium Kelly Terry at kelly@skilltype.com.
**About Office of Commonwealth Libraries** The Office of Commonwealth Libraries (OCL) within the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) operates a major research library and collects, preserves, and connects state government, libraries, and Pennsylvanians with the information and resources needed for education, enrichment, and advancement.
**About HSLC and POWER Library** Hosting Solutions & Library Consulting is a non-profit library support organization contributing to the success of libraries by delivering technical solutions and consulting services.
POWER Library is a service of the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Pennsylvania Department of Education, and is hosted by HSLC at www.powerlibrary.org. The POWER Library portal offers Pennsylvania residents access to four services: a statewide union catalog, the ability to chat with a librarian, access to e‐resources, and access to digital collections uploaded by POWER Library participants.
**About Skilltype** Skilltype, headquartered in Baton Rouge, LA, USA, provides talent management software designed for knowledge management organizations and information professionals. Since its founding in 2018, Skilltype is now used by over 400 organizations across 10 countries.