Academic libraries now hire an increasing number of individuals to fill professional librarian positions who do not have the master's degree in library science. Academic libraries are also creating a wide range of new professional assignments that demand diverse educational backgrounds. Additionally, responsibilities formerly carried out by librarians are frequently transferred to support staff and student employees. There is also a new cohort of MLS librarians who have received their degrees through distance rather than residential programs. The new professional groups have been "raised" in other environments and bring to the academic library a "feral" set of values, outlooks, styles, and expectations. This article presents the implications of these trends and the impact of these staffing strategies in such areas as employee relations, training, management, and leadership.