Libraries are vital community resources that serve diverse populations with a wide range of needs. In many library systems, the minimum educational requirement for librarian positions is a Master of Library and Information Sciences (MLIS) degree. While education is an invaluable asset in any profession, the current emphasis on the MLIS degree creates an unnecessary barrier to enter the field.

Some libraries have already made the decision to accept relevant experience in lieu of an MLIS. Burbank Public Library is currently attempting to adjust the education and experience requirements for librarians as well. The proposed changes will allow candidates with different combinations of education and experience to apply for librarian and management positions, creating a more equitable pathway into the profession for individuals from underrepresented and marginalized communities who may not have access to or be able to afford graduate education.

In 2022, the most common ethnicities of librarians were: White (82%), Hispanic/Latino (8%), Asian-American/Pacific Islander (5.1%), Black/African American (4.3%). By broadening the criteria for librarian positions to include relevant experience and alternative educational backgrounds, we can ensure that libraries reflect the communities they serve. 

Here are some more key reasons why removing the MLIS requirement will benefit not only Burbank Public Library, but the librarian profession as a whole and the communities we serve: 

**Diverse Perspectives**: Welcoming candidates with diverse educational backgrounds and life experiences will bring fresh ideas and approaches to library services and programming 

**Skill Recognition**: Many individuals possess relevant skills and experience gained through work in libraries, community organizations, or related fields. Using a “whole person” approach to interviewing allows the opportunity to hire talented people who may not have pursued a traditional MLIS education but have much to offer the profession. 

**Adaptability**:  Recruiting for experience and skills over specific educational credentials can help ensure that libraries are well-equipped to navigate emerging challenges and opportunities in a constantly evolving information landscape.

By signing this petition, you are advocating for a more inclusive and equitable librarian profession that values the skills and experience of every person in the field. You are also supporting library workers like those in Burbank who are passionate and love the work they do but cannot advance in their careers. Together, we can work towards creating a profession that better reflects the rich tapestry of our communities and ensures that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute to the important work of libraries.

“In essence, we are trying to change the behavior of BIPOCs. It’s a deficit model—there’s a problem that not enough people of color are librarians, so people of color need to change and start going to library school. It’s like there’s something wrong with the BIPOC community—the community is not doing something the library world needs it to do” 

- Curtis Kendrick, “Changing the Racial Demographics of Librarians.” April 2023.