SALEM, Oregon - State police are investigating a library official who had been selected to be the state's top librarian.
Questions about Robert Hulshof-Schmidt's credentials arose shortly after he was chosen to replace Jim Scheppke, who retired Jan. 1 after 20 years as library chief.
Through emails obtained through a public records request, there are reports that Hulshof-Schmidt was placed on administrative leave in November after questions surfaced about his academic credentials. He abruptly resigned in December.
One of the main questions relates to his claim of having obtained a Master's Degree. In the emails, Hulshof-Schmidt corresponds with Scheppke about obtaining a transcript showing he obtained a master's degree in library science from the University of Washington in the early 1990s.
However, it is not at all clear if Hulshof-Schmidt delivered the transcript.
Oregon State Police Lt. Gregg Hastings has confirmed he is investigating Hulshof-Schmidt but he he refused to say why and Hulshof-Schmidt could not be reached for comment.
Continuing the hush-hush record, chairman of the library's board of trustees, Sam Hall, also declined to comment.
