I explained the chronology of the shift to the MLS degree and the reasons for it in my book, The MLS Project (Scarecrow, 2010).

Until 1949, ALA accredited bachelor’s degrees. After much discussion of the future of programs, ALA suspended accreditation in 1949 while the subject was debated. New standards were adopted in 1951 under which only master’s degrees would be accredited. Accreditation resumed in 1953. Only master’s degrees were accredited after 1953.

Then an effort began to redefine “professional librarian.” In 1970, ALA adopted the policy Library Education and Manpower which defined a “professional librarian” as a person who had earned an ALA accredited master’s degree.

Keith Swigger

-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	Re: History: MLS, MIS, MS, etc (fwd)
Date:	Fri, 23 Nov 2012 19:15:26 -0500
From:	Gretchen Whitney <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To:	Open Lib/Info Sci Education Forum <[log in to unmask]>
To:	<[log in to unmask]>

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:27:17 -0500
From: B.G. Sloan <[log in to unmask]>

Well, one reason why "a Bachelors would not suffice" is because the 
American Library Association says so. See the following:    Q: What is the 
appropriate degree to be a professional librarian? A: ALA policy 54.2 
states: "The master's degree from a program accredited by the American 
Library Association (or from a master's level program in library and 
information studies accredited or recognized by the appropriate national 
body of another country) is the appropriate professional degree for 
librarians."   Source: 
http://www.ala.org/accreditedprograms/faq#appropriate_degree_for_librarian 
  Bernie Sloan