Obtaining a master's degree can involve a large investment in time, effort, and money. There is no question that having a degree is a positive sign of accomplishment, but it may not always be feasible or practical for an individual to obtain. The factors that weigh most heavily on this decision include:
- Type of position. If you reviewed the " types of jobs" section on this website, you can then learn if a degree is typically required of the type of job you desire.
- State requirements. Contact your state library to find out if there are certification requirements for the type of position you are seeking. Michigan, for example, requires that public library directors have a master of library science degree if the library serves a population of 25,000 or more.
- Size of library. Many smaller libraries have a difficult time filling positions, even for directors, and often will hire people with other degrees or equivalent experience. Some large urban libraries are also having difficulty filling front line librarian positions and hire librarians without master of library science degrees.
read more about it:
ALA-Allied Professional Association list of certification requirements by state
- Pages
- Library Assistants and Technicians
- Librarians
- Library Managers
- Library Directors
- Other Professionals (human resources, accounting, network administrators, facilities managers, etc.)
- Do I need a library science associate's degree?
- Do I need a library science master's degree?
- Choosing a library school