@highjump Those rural librarians are now being replaced (when and if they can ever afford to retire) with paraprofessional (people without MLIS degrees). If you want to work in a rural (or other "interesting" "underprivileged" public library), get as much experience as you can; it's worth more than the degree.
If you want to work in an academic library (ahahahaha, there's no jobs, anyway!), get a "subject" masters.
In either case, start volunteering as early as possible in a place you like. Libraries like to hire from within. Maybe, you'll get lucky.
On Conversations About Our Student Loans
@highjump Those rural librarians are now being replaced (when and if they can ever afford to retire) with paraprofessional (people without MLIS degrees). If you want to work in a rural (or other "interesting" "underprivileged" public library), get as much experience as you can; it's worth more than the degree. If you want to work in an academic library (ahahahaha, there's no jobs, anyway!), get a "subject" masters. In either case, start volunteering as early as possible in a place you like. Libraries like to hire from within. Maybe, you'll get lucky.