Indianapolis Public Library Appoints John Helling as Chief Public Service Officer

The Indianapolis Public Library (IndyPL) is pleased to announce that John Helling has been appointed chief public service officer. Helling will work closely with the CEO and senior leadership to supervise the operations of all public service locations as well as the outreach, programming, school partnerships, and volunteer services departments.

Helling will support The Library’s efforts to create and facilitate public service projects that align with the organizational values, goals, and strategic priorities of The Library. In collaboration with senior leadership and The Library’s executive committee, he will help shape The Library’s policies and budget.

Helling has a long history with The Library. He served IndyPL from 2016-2022, first as director of public services and then as chief public service officer. During that time, he proved himself a strong leader with the skills, vision, and passion to take The Library into the future. Helling contributed to IndyPL’s strategic planning process, which included articulating a vision for a strategic plan that calls for data-driven decisions and measurable outputs.

He earned his Master of Library and Information Science and his Bachelor of Arts in English from Indiana University and has received various awards for his work such as the Fulbright Scholarship and the Fulbright Alumni Award.

“We are thrilled to welcome John Helling back to the team,” said Gregory Hill, Sr., Chief Executive Officer at The Indianapolis Public Library. “His expertise and fresh perspective will undoubtedly contribute to our positive trajectory, helping us achieve the goals outlined in our strategic plan. We admire Helling’s dedication to pushing boundaries and creating meaningful impact, and we look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead with him on board."

Helling is looking forward to taking on this role.

"I'm very excited to rejoin the Indianapolis Public Library, and I look forward to contributing to the best possible public service we can provide,” said Helling. “Library services are crucial to many people, and I take my responsibility to make sure that our service is accessible, equitable, and valuable to everyone who needs it seriously."