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This question is about librarian education.
What degree do you need to work in a library?
You need a master's degree in library sciences (MLS), preferably from an American Library Assocation (ALA) accredited program for most librarian positions. This is true for most public, academic, and special libraries. School libraries may not need a MLS, but must meet state teaching requirements.
The vast majority of employers require an ALA-accredited master's degree for professional positions in libraries. Graduating from an ALA-accredited program enhances career mobility and provides greater flexibility. ALA-accredited master's programs can be found at colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Find additional information about how to select a library science program as well as a list of accredited schools in ALA's Directory of ALA-Accredited Master's Library and Information Studies
As library services become more varied, so do the jobs in libraries. Librarians are no longer the only professionals working in libraries. Libraries employ web developers, knowledge managers, and IT professionals.
Youth workers, security officers, archivists, book conservators, school liaisons, social workers, and Friends group nonprofit managers are a few of the unique positions employed in libraries.
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