[Publib] How Important is ALA Accreditation?

[Sue Kamm]

Absolutely.  Accreditation means the program conforms to a nationally-recognized set of standards and a curriculum designed to meet those standards.  

Granted, there has been - and will doubtless continue to be -  discussion of those standards within ALA.  A graduate of an accredited library school is assumed to have a grounding in basic prinicples of selection, acquisitions, cataloging, and reference.  

There are libraries who will employ anyone who has complet;ed coursework in a non-accredited program.  You might ask your dean why the school hasn't sought ALA accreditation, or if they have, how far along are they in the process.  However, if the answers to your questions about accreditation are unsatisfactory, start inquiring about programs that are accredited.  

BTW, a number of programs allow students to progress towards their degree through online coursework.  If you're geographically far from an accredited program, see if they offer virtual courses.

Your friendly neighborhood CyberGoddess and ALA Councilor at Large, 
Sue Kamm
Email: suekamm[at]mindspring.com
Inglewood/Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles Dodgers Truest of the Blue, 2000
Visit my blog: http://suekamm.blogspot.com
Baseball Is Life...the rest is details.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Tolman, Erin Sheely 
To: publib at webjunction.org
Sent: 9/5/2007 5:30:48 PM 
Subject: [Publib] How Important is ALA Accreditation?


I am an MLS student in a program that is not (yet) officially accredited by the ALA.  In terms of job prospects, is that accreditation as important as job postings make it sound?

Thanks,

Erin Tolman
MLS Student
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