Getting back to school for my MLS was probably the best and worst life decision ever. While it’s a milestone in a library career, it’s been difficult trudging along and consuming precious weekend hours on a program I don’t fully buy into. I’m not talking about my school specifically, which I’ve been happy with, it’s just that damned MLS requirement.

I’ll pause the complaining right here because you’ve probably read it all before. The facts are I’ve worked in support services for 8.5 years, and I need the MLS in order to move upward and still work in libraries. The economics don’t make sense. The requirement doesn’t make sense. This profession doesn’t make sense.

The most valuable lesson learned my first semester is that the profession is working toward other avenues of service, something above and beyond the tradional model — and is library school preparing us for that new model? I have my doubts.

Until then, I might supplement my education elsewhere, learn from super cool librarian role models, prepare to be a library worker of the future — anything but act like a hater.