一般的に，専門職の養成，育成としては，高等教育機関における養成と現職者の研修・自己研鑽がある。後者に関しては，専門職によっては研修・自己研鑽を評価し認定する制度が存在する。日本の図書館界では，日本図書館協会が「認定司書事業」を2010年度より開始し，すでに10年間以上の実績がある。本研究では，日本図書館協会の認定司書制度に対する認定司書の認識を調査し，最終的にこれまでの達成と今後の課題を明らかにする。
調査の目的は，認定司書に対して，(1)認定司書を申請した動機，(2)認定による期待とその現実，(3)認定司書の能力，(4)認定司書制度の課題，を尋ねた。調査対象としたのは，多様な背景を持つ認定司書10名である（更新者を含む）。　調査は，インタビューにより行った。聞き取りは対面とオンライン会議システムを用いた。調査時期は2022年12月から2023年3月までである。インタビューは録音し，書き起こした上で，質的分析ソフトMAXQDAを用いてコード，カテゴリを付与した。
調査の結果は以下のとおりである。(1)認定司書を申請した動機としては，周りの人からの刺激，転職などで役立つ，これまでのキャリアの確認・棚卸し，専門職としての自覚，認定の条件を満たしていた，等であった。(2) 認定による期待とその現実としては，まず期待として，図書館員・専門家とのつながり，自身または司書の認知度の向上，があった。その現実として，肯定的意見には，様々な人との交流などが，否定的意見には低い認知度などが挙げられた。(3)認定司書の能力としては，経営的な能力，後輩を育てる力，幅広い情報網を持つ，などが挙げられた。(4)認定司書制度の課題としては，能力を実態的なものと捉えその明確化が必要という意見と，司書としての成長を重視しそれを支援することが必要という意見が挙げられた。
Generally speaking, the education and training of professionals involves education at universities and other institutions of higher education, as well as training and self-improvement for those currently working in the field. For training and self-improvement, there are certification systems for some professions. In Japan, the Japan Library Association has been implementing the "Certified Professional Librarian by the Japan Library Association" for more than 10 years. In this study, we will investigate what certified professional librarians think about the program, and finally clarify what has been accomplished so far and what challenges lie ahead.
The objectives of this survey were to determine: (1) Why did you apply for a certified professional librarian? (1) Why did you apply to become a certified professional librarian, (2) What did you expect from certification and what are your opinions now, (3) What can certified professional librarians do as a profession, and (4) What are the challenges facing the certified professional librarian program? The subjects of our survey were certified professional librarians from a variety of backgrounds. We asked a total of 10 people, including certified professional librarians who had gone through renewal.
The survey was conducted by way of interviews. Interviews were conducted both in person and via an online conferencing system from December 2022 to March 2023. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. We further assigned codes and categories to the interview transcripts using the qualitative analysis software MAXQDA.
The results of the analysis so far have revealed the following. (1) As for why they applied for certification, they were inspired by the librarians around them, they thought it would be useful in changing jobs, they wanted to confirm the achievement of their career, they thought it was natural for them as professionals, and they fulfilled the requirements for certification. (2) As for what they expected from the certification and how it actually went, they are as follows. First of all, they expected to connect with librarians and researchers, and to improve the recognition of themselves and librarians. As for what actually happens, the results are as follows. First, positive comments included interaction with a variety of library staff. Negative opinions, however, included the fact that system was not well known. (3) As for what certified professional librarians can do, they have managerial skills, can train junior librarians, and have a broad information network. (4) As for issues facing the system, there was an opinion that it is necessary to clarify the abilities of certified professional librarians. Also, it is necessary to emphasize and support the growth of certified librarians.