I would like to add another dimension to the discussion on
professional qualifications for Librarians. I have a
post-graduate degree in Library science from a prestigious
South African university. I worked in my profession for twenty
years before emigrating from South Africa to the U.S.A. eight
years ago.
But because my university is not accredited by the ALA, my
degree is not recognized here. This excludes me from many
potential jobs at university and public libraries who insist on
the letters MLS after one's name. Very little flexibility
exists in making exceptions to this.
I have had my qualifications evaluated and they are equivalent
to the American degree, but without the official accreditation
this doesn't help much.
Surely some recognition should be given to legitimate
qualifications acquired outside the U.S., or does the ALA
really think it sets the universal standard?
Thanks for letting me have my say.
Alice Milner - Librarian Chesterfield County Law Library
(amilner@leo.vsla.edu)
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