This post is the second part of a two-in-one post by Corey Halaychik, Head of Content Management at The University of Texas at Austin Libraries and the Founder of The Library Collective, an independent nonprofit organisation dedicated to education and innovation for better librarianship.

For too long, the title of “Librarian” has been reserved for those who have earned a master’s degree in library and information science. While formal education certainly has its place in laying a foundation, it should not be the only path to librarianship. Skills developed through years of hands-on experience are just as—if not more—valuable than those gained in a classroom. It’s time to rethink our approach and open more pathways for dedicated, experienced professionals to earn the title of Librarian without requiring a costly degree.

The Class Divide in Librarianship

Librarianship, like many other professions, has long carried an air of elitism. The emphasis on formal credentials over practical experience creates barriers that prevent talented, passionate individuals from advancing in the field. Professional organisations that govern degree programs reinforce this divide, making librarianship feel inaccessible to many. Libraries claim to serve all people, yet the profession itself often excludes those without the financial means to pursue an expensive degree. If we truly want libraries to reflect the communities they serve, we must recognise and remove these systemic barriers.

The Case for Alternative Pathways

This is not a call to eliminate skill-building or professional development. Rather, it’s a call to create alternative paths that allow experienced workers to gain recognition and career advancement. One possible model is a structured progression system within libraries—similar to how faculty members advance toward tenure. For example:

  • Library Specialist → Entry-level position
  • Senior Library Specialist → After five years of demonstrated mastery
  • Assistant Librarian → After an additional five years of contribution to the profession
  • Librarian → After another five years of demonstrated leadership and expertise

Through this system, an employee could start at an entry-level position and grow into a full-fledged Librarian over the course of their career. This model values experience and dedication over simply holding a degree. It aligns with long-standing apprenticeship traditions, allowing institutions to cultivate talent from within while ensuring staff are fully trained and competent.

Expanding Talent Recruitment

By removing the graduate degree requirement, libraries could attract professionals from diverse backgrounds—historians, educators, technologists, and more—who are interested in library work but unwilling or unable to pursue an additional degree. Their subject expertise and real-world experience could enrich library services in ways that traditional LIS degrees do not always prepare for.

Learning Through Collaboration

Another way to enhance this alternative model is by establishing exchange programs between libraries. Employees could spend time at different institutions, learning new skills and perspectives before bringing that knowledge back to their home library. This would create a dynamic, ever-evolving profession that fosters innovation and cross-institutional learning.

Librarianship for Everyone

Libraries are meant to be inclusive spaces—so why is the profession itself so exclusive? Gatekeeping through degree requirements ignores the valuable contributions of experienced professionals and discourages talented individuals from joining our ranks. Both academic and experience-based pathways should have a place in our profession. If we want to attract and retain top talent, we must adopt a more flexible and inclusive approach to what it means to be a librarian.