Degrees of academic librarians : the case for capacious credentialing / Bryn Geffert

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Geffert, Bryn, 1967- author.

Series:

Cambridge elements. Elements in publishing and book culture

Cambridge elements. Elements in publishing and book culture, 2514-8524

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Academic librarians--Employment.

Academic librarians.

Academic librarians--Certification.

Vocational qualifications.

Professional Competence.

Medical Subjects:

Professional Competence.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2026

Summary:

"It is difficult to name a question more contentious than the question of credentialing for academic librarians. This Element attempts three things. First, to understand how today's US research libraries approach credentialing and hiring. Which assumptions, practices, and arguments for those practices do they make? The study evaluates those practices and rationale both quantitatively-How many people adopt which positions and practices based on which assumptions?-and qualitatively-How compelling are the arguments for their respective positions? The qualitative element feeds into this essay's second effort: to argue, based on evidence offered, that more traditional and restrictive practices hamper and hobble the profession. The third section-derived from follow-up interviews with deans at libraries with liberalized credentialing and hiring practices-chronicles and draws lessons from libraries at the forefront of reform, and then offers advice to libraries examining their own hiring practices"-- Cambridge Core

Contents:

Surveying beliefs and practices

Arguments proffered for a mandatory MLS

Arguments proffered against a mandatory MLS

Accounting for controversy

Reflections on arguments proffered

Six observations in support of the optional MLS

Terminal degree

Philosophies and assumptions

MLS skepticism

The ACRL statement

Degrees of acceptance

Tension

Advice

Notes:

Online resource; title from PDF title page (Cambridge Core, viewed May 13, 2026)

Other Format:

Print version: Geffert, Bryn, 1967- Degrees of academic librarians

ISBN:

9781009725729

1009725726

9781009725736

1009725734

OCLC:

1589180497

Publisher Number:

CIPO000374390

Access Restriction:

Some versions: Open access versions available from some providers open access