Re: [LM_NET] ALA accreditation

[Michelle Foreman <silvertaurus@GMAIL.COM>]

I can relate to the ALA vs. non-ALA certified Masters programs.  When I was
looking into programs, we had two available here.  One was ALA accredited
and one was non-ALA but HIGHLY respected for school librarianship
preparation.  I selected the ALA program and I have friends who chose the
non-ALA.  From speaking with them, the non-ALA probably prepared them BETTER
than mine to be school library media specialists, but not at all to be
public or university librarians.  I did tons of assignments that were
useless to me as a school librarian, and the focus in the courses was very
different.  However, I knew I might someday want to do university work, so I
wanted all my options to remain open to me.  Now, I have transferred into a
university position that would not be available without the ALA degree.  It
depends on your goals for the future, but generally a non-ALA degree will
permanently force you to work only in the school system.  :)  That's not
necessarily a bad thing! Many love it!

~Michelle Foreman
M.S., M.S.L.I.S., Ph.D. (candidate)
Shippensburg University
Ezrah Lehman Lab School

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