Christina J. Steffy and Meg Massey write: “The profession engaged in heated debate about the need for an MLS during the rather contentious search for an ALA Executive Director in 2017. This discussion acknowledges that there is a group of library professionals that believe someone can successfully enter the profession with other relevant experience and acquire the specialized library knowledge through work in the field. While we understand the value of the MLS (after earning it to advance in our respective library careers), we question the insistence that it is necessary for all professional or administrative positions.”