Additional Information
Full-fledged librarians must have an undergraduate degree in any field
of study, followed by a master's degree in library science. The master's
degree usually takes two years to complete.
"To be a true librarian, you actually have to have a master's degree,"
says Chris Taylor, a library director in Ohio. "Your undergraduate can be
in anything. But pretty typically you're going to get a master's degree if
you're going to be a librarian as a career."
"Master's degrees are essential for professional positions," agrees Ed
Goyda, a library director in Delaware. "Volunteer and paid opportunities
are certainly available for people without formal degrees, and I tend to place
more favor on experience, fit and vision than degree when hiring for front-line
positions."
To become a library assistant, you must have a library technician's diploma,
which is also a two-year program. You don't require an undergraduate degree
to be accepted into the diploma program.
"Be sure to build experience to accompany your degree," Goyda advises.
"Seriously consider aiming for the most highly responsible position you
can obtain, even if the pay is low, to kick-start your career. It will pay
off in the long run."
Librarian Joanna Aegard has a master's in library and information science
and undergraduate degrees in music and English.
"There are both professional and non-professional staff who work in libraries,"
says Aegard. "So formal library training is not necessary (to work in a
library), but I do recommend it for those wishing to do more meaningful and
fulfilling work."
Goyda notes that, "[T]here are many libraries that are too small, or too
low budget, to draw staff with master's degrees. On the assistant side,
Delaware has a Library Assistant Learning Institute (LALI) that provides post-hire
training and certification for those wishing to move into more responsible
positions, but who aren't able to pursue a master's degree."