WHERE to find info on becoming a librarian on the ALA website

UPDATED April 4 2024— This is the text I used to send out in response to questions about becoming a librarian from the ALA Library Reference Desk. I’ve made any needed link and navigation corrections, and also made any outright substitutions, for websites that no longer exist, from my original text.

The ALA web site has information on how to become a professional librarian. This position usually requires that a librarian have a master’s degree in library and information science. ALA is the professional organization that accredits the master’s degree programs at over 60 universities in North America (USA, Canada, Puerto Rico). See below for information on accessing this information online.

Definitely access the section of the ALA web site of ALA’s Office for Accreditation, specifically:

Accreditation Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.ala.org/accreditedprograms/faq

Q: What is the appropriate degree to be a professional librarian?

• A: ALA policy B.9.2 (formerly ALA policy 54.2) states: “The master’s degree program accredited by the American Library Association (or from a master’s level program in library and information studies accredited or recognized by the appropriate national body of another country) is the appropriate professional degree for librarians.”
• For school librarians, ALA policy B.9.2.2 (formerly ALA Policy 54.2.2) states: The master’s…