...and it quacks like a duck, and walks like a duck....is it a duck?

I am glad that Laura from Library 2.0 responded to my previous library related post.
What I would like to bring up next as a conversation topic is the topic of what is it that constitutes a librarian. If you know people with an opinion and cogent arguments on the subject, please invite them to read my previous post, and this one, and comment on them - the more the merrier.

To quote Laura, from her comment on the previous post:

Interesting comments on my ideas. I've been an MLS-holding academic librarian for a dozen years, and can tell you that librarians are already doing these types of jobs. The difference is that they are folded into existing positions. I myself am doing pieces of most of these positions, as part of the evolution of librarianship over the past decade.

Among my most rewarding responsibilities is my work supporting remote users. Most librarians in my library system have a hand in supporting remote users. In my case, this has become something of a specialty because I run my library's proxy server.

From Laura's comments we see that the positions are really nothing new to the library world, just an evolution of the job, a response to the technological evolution and the patron expectation - at least this is what I see in the library that I work. Now taking this into consideration, if someone is supporting remote users, let's take for example the remote services librarian mentioned in Library 2.0 - Do they need to be librarians? Does this by association mean that they need an MLS?

When you look at other jobs, even higher up directorial jobs, they don't generally require a specific degree, but a degree in a general category. Most of the jobs that I have been looking at are technology related and are management oriented, so they generally require a BA/BS in computer science, information technology, engineering, or related field. The MBA is not even required! Experience (usually 3-5) can be substituted as equivalent to a degree.

When looking at jobs where the title librarian is attached, the MLS is unequivocally required - at least in all the positions that I have seen at the MBLC job site. Why is this? Should we succumb to naturalistic fallacy, or should we question why this is the case, rethink the criteria defining a librarian, and demand change? A lot of library jobs today are increasingly technology oriented, and as I pointed out in my previous post can be done by someone without an MLS. Should talented people be denied a job because they do not have an MLS? Should they be paid less because they do not have an MLS?

My last question revolves around education:
If you have individuals that have a master's degree in something that relates to the evolving library jobs (technology, innovation, education, etc) - and you absolutely won't budge on requiring someone to have some sort of library education, would an ALA accredited CAGS (certificate of advanced graduate study) suffice? You take 6 classes (CAGS are generally half a master's degree), core courses in librarianship: cataloging, general reference, acquisitions/collection development, book preservation, information organization, etc - or whatever mix of courses your library school or the ALA decide are the quintessential courses for librarianship. When you are done - can you be called a librarian and can you apply for those jobs that require an MLS? Would job providers make jobs available to people with an MA + CAGS?

There are some jobs - a doctor comes to mind, that I absolutely won't budge on certain requirements - I want them to have gone to medical school, have done their residency, have gone through all the hoops. If you get a computer scientist - no matter what - there is no overlap with medicine, so someone with an MA in computer science can never be a doctor unless they get their MD. However, in certain jobs, like library jobs, where there the overlap between fields continues to increase, should the librarian field be progressive and embrace non MLS candidates? - you obviously know my thoughts on the subject, how about you?

If anyone responds, please note if you have an MLS and what year you received it :-)