On Fri, Nov 23, 2012 at 7:46 PM, Gretchen Whitney <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2012 21:53:13 -0500
From: Daniel Stuhlman <[log in to unmask]>
To: Open Lib/Info Sci Education Forum <[log in to unmask]>,
    Gretchen Whitney <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: History: MLS, MIS, MS, etc

At 07:41 PM 11/22/2012, Gretchen Whitney wrote:

Greetings, and Happy Holidays.

  I am looking for references to the history of library education.  I have a colleague who is interested in when the Master's degree was required for a librarian, rather than the Bachelor's degree.  I could not answer his question.  I do not know when, nor how, this transition happened. While I can remember reading this literature in the 1970s, I can't recall it nor justify the distinction now.

  Background: I ran into an interesting conversation a few days ago that was debating the need for a master's degree in library education (and I am being very specific in not saying LIS education) and the need for a master's degree as opposed to a bachelors degree for working in, and even running, a library.

  I am asking the iSchools to stay OUT of this discussion for now.  This concerns library schools.  This concerns schools, both graduate and undergraduate, who are trying to educate librarians.

The problem is with the question.  The first question is what is meant by "required?"  A person may become a public school librarian without a masters degree in librarianship or anything else.  A public library can hire anyone they want to serve as a librarian.    Hiring agencies set their own requirements.   Library of Congress hires subject specialists without library school degrees.

Most university libraries would not even look at a candidate without a masters degree from a library school program.  Usually they require one from an ALA accredited program.

The second question is "what is needed to have the minimum base of knowledge for a librarian?'  In my opinion a solid grounding in an academic discipline is essential to be a library school student.  Usually that knowledge starts with a college major.  Then the person can earn a masters in librarianship.  Then never stop learning.  An academic librarian eventually will need credits beyond the masters and probably a second masters or a doctorate.

Most graduates of undergraduate programs are just beginners in the pursuit of scholarship. There is just no way to master all the complex aspects of librarianship and most professions without additional education and training.



Daniel Stuhlman
Chicago, IL
ddstuhlman at earthlink.net

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