Hi, MLIS holder here. I don’t work in libraries anymore, but the degree does come in handy with my work.

You don’t have to have an MLIS to work in a library. to be a part of ACLA (Allegheny county library association) libraries need at least one person on staff that has a MLIS or a bachelors degree and a provisional library certificate . Which is a 12 credit certificate. A few local colleges offer that online, I think Clarion.

I wouldn’t recommend getting the MLIS unless you want to be a library director or work for Carnegie library of Pittsburgh, and even then I’d get a low level job there first and get the cert on the side.

Happy to answer questions!