yea it is a requirement. its competitive because there are very few places that hire them, public libraries and universities libraries, and community colleges. i assume the university ones are more better paying but more competitive. the ones at my state uni had a master in a stem degree too.

the alternative is getting hired as a librarian assistant, but those tend to be part time and a student type of job.

the stress free jobs are often more on the lower side of pay, or certain niche degreed jobs. librarian isnt that stress free, because you are facing patrons and students all the time, and potential crazy people, or homeless people, or the porn addicts.